There has not been any other city where all of its buildings have been systematically wiped out in a short time (and then re- placed by ugly and defective buildings), had its building density multiplied, turned into a huge car park, and had its physical and monetary assets wasted. It can be calculated how much pollu- tion, including noise, is created in the process of each demoli- tion and rebuilding: an infernal symphony of hammers, drills, and shouts that has become the natural background sound in Tehran.
— Roger K. Lewis, Shaping the city, Jan 16 2010
