Public Solidarity Is Cities’ Greatest Asset in Times of Crisis, Isfahan Mayor Says

Isfahan’s Legacy of Three Major Historical Eras

Ghasemzadeh highlighted Isfahan’s historical significance, pointing to three major periods that shaped the city’s development: the Buyid, Seljuk and Safavid eras. He described the Safavid period as a high point in the city’s history, leaving a lasting legacy in architecture, scholarship, written works and the arts.

Much of this heritage remains visible in Isfahan’s historic buildings, he said, adding that the city’s architectural landmarks offer a tangible connection to Iran’s cultural achievements and its contribution to world civilization.

The mayor stressed the importance of understanding and preserving this legacy, saying Iranians had demonstrated their appreciation for their history and their willingness to safeguard the cultural heritage passed down through generations.

Historical Identity as a Source of National Resilience

Referring to statements about reducing Iran to the Stone Age, Ghasemzadeh said such remarks reflected a lack of understanding of the country’s history, cultural depth and national identity.

Iran’s long civilizational history, he said, has helped its people withstand repeated pressures and threats. Rather than weakening society, difficult circumstances have often strengthened people’s determination to defend their homeland.

He said the 40-day war had brought historical concepts into sharper focus, particularly the unifying power of the national flag. From children to older citizens, people gathered around the symbol, which he described as a source of dignity, solidarity and collective commitment.

Ghasemzadeh also recalled the efforts of ordinary residents and volunteer groups who joined emergency responders to assist those affected by attacks. In some cases, he said, residents attempted to help people trapped in damaged buildings before official emergency teams arrived, demonstrating a willingness to help others despite the risks.

He linked these actions to longstanding values in Iranian literature, mythology and culture, including compassion for fellow human beings and devotion to the homeland.

Collective Memory and the Strength of Social Cohesion

Drawing on the psychological concept of the collective unconscious, Ghasemzadeh described it as the accumulation of historical experiences, beliefs and cultural traditions across generations.

Such resources may not always be immediately visible in everyday life, he said, but can emerge with particular force during crises, strengthening a community’s capacity for solidarity, resistance and recovery.

The mayor noted that people with different beliefs, interests and perspectives had stood alongside one another during the 40-day war. Although they might disagree on many issues in ordinary circumstances, he said, defending Iran’s territorial integrity had brought them together around a shared sense of belonging.

When the protection of the homeland is at stake, he added, differences should not overshadow the common responsibility to preserve the country’s territorial integrity and shared identity.

Women’s Role in Crisis Reveals the Depth of Social Resilience

Ghasemzadeh also highlighted the role of Iranian women during the conflict, saying their participation demonstrated the breadth of their capabilities and their contribution to collective resilience.

He referred to the experiences of women during the Iran-Iraq War, particularly mothers who lost their children, and said women from diverse backgrounds and with different viewpoints had again demonstrated their strength during the more recent conflict.

The mayor also pointed to the deaths of people from different religious backgrounds in Isfahan, including an Armenian citizen, as evidence that a sense of belonging to Iran can transcend differences in belief and personal outlook.

Recalling a visit to the family of a young woman killed when a missile struck a building in the city, Ghasemzadeh described her mother’s dignity in remembering her daughter and the path she had been proud to follow.

He said such experiences illustrated the enduring social bonds that can unite people despite differences in religion, beliefs or personal preferences.

National Belonging Extends from Remote Villages to City Squares

According to Ghasemzadeh, the public response during the 40-day war was not limited to major urban centers. Residents of small villages also demonstrated a strong sense of national belonging, displaying the same solidarity and determination seen in larger cities.

He cited the response of communities in the Zagros region to reports of a pilot landing during the conflict, saying residents mobilized with the resources available to them. Such actions, he argued, reflected a sense of responsibility toward the land and a belief that protecting it was a shared duty.

Participation extended across generations, from young children waving flags in their parents’ arms to people in their eighties and nineties gathering in public squares, he said.

Ghasemzadeh added that the longer-term social effects of this participation would require further study, but the experience had already demonstrated how national belonging could motivate civic engagement, strengthen cohesion and encourage people to support one another.

Residents Help Rebuild 180 Damaged Homes in 72 Hours

One example of community solidarity occurred in Isfahan’s Haftoun neighborhood after a missile strike damaged residential properties during the 40-day war.

Ghasemzadeh said 180 homes were damaged in the incident, including six that were completely destroyed, leaving residents concerned about their relatives, neighbors and the future of their community.

After witnessing the situation, a philanthropist volunteered to help repair the damaged homes. According to the mayor, repair work on the properties that required restoration was completed in less than 72 hours through round-the-clock efforts.

Ghasemzadeh described the initiative as a practical expression of social solidarity, emphasizing that genuine empathy requires people to understand the circumstances of those affected and treat their safety and well-being as a shared responsibility.

When families lose their homes or can no longer live in them, he said, solidarity means more than providing financial assistance. It means accepting responsibility for helping them secure shelter and rebuild their lives.

The neighborhood’s response also included an act of remembrance and hope. Several days after the incident, on National Tree Planting Day, families of those killed and other residents gathered in a local park to plant trees in memory of the victims.

The mayor described the initiative as a symbol of hope and a commitment to the future despite the community’s grief.

Residents Offer Private Homes to Displaced Families

Ghasemzadeh said the municipality had also issued a limited appeal asking residents with vacant homes to make them available to fellow citizens whose homes had been damaged.

Within the first 48 hours, around 80 people volunteered to provide accommodation, he said.

The initiative demonstrated how social responsibility could translate into tangible assistance, with residents making their private property available to help families facing difficult circumstances.

Such actions show that social capital is not merely a matter of public statements or shared slogans, Ghasemzadeh said. Its real value emerges when people take practical steps to address the needs of others, including by using their own resources to help their neighbors.

Resilience Means Performing at One’s Best Under the Hardest Conditions

Explaining the concept of resilience from a psychological perspective, Ghasemzadeh said it is an important concept in positive psychology, which focuses on human strengths and capabilities rather than concentrating exclusively on weaknesses and difficulties.

He noted that resilience should not be equated solely with patience, endurance, flexibility or adaptation, although all these qualities can contribute to it.

“Resilience means performing at one’s best under the hardest conditions,” he said, describing it as the ability to draw on personal and collective strengths when facing adversity.

Hardship is an unavoidable part of human life, he added. Although people cannot prevent every crisis, they can strengthen their individual and social capacities to reduce its impact and continue moving forward.

Referring to Japan’s experience with earthquakes, Ghasemzadeh explained that a country cannot prevent all seismic events but can improve its ability to withstand them through resilient infrastructure and appropriate construction methods.

The same principle applies to individuals and communities, he said. By developing psychological resources, emotional capacities and supportive social relationships, people can improve their ability to respond to difficulties without losing their capacity to recover and progress.

Resilience does not mean avoiding hardship or remaining unaffected by tragedy. Rather, it is the capacity to recover, regain stability and resume life after a difficult experience, he said.

A Resilient City Is One That Can Recover After Crisis

Applying the concept to urban governance, Ghasemzadeh said urban resilience involves using a city’s internal resources and capabilities to withstand crises, restore essential functions and resume development.

A resilient city is not necessarily one that never suffers damage, he explained. It is one that can maintain essential services, rebuild and continue functioning after war, natural disasters or other major disruptions.

Physical infrastructure and urban facilities are important, but social relationships, public participation, mutual assistance and community cohesion are equally significant, he said.

Cities whose residents support one another and work collectively to address shared problems are better positioned to manage emergencies and recover from their consequences.

Ghasemzadeh invoked the mythical phoenix, which rises anew from fire and ashes, as a symbol of resilience at both national and urban levels. Even when a society experiences extensive damage, he said, its cultural identity, shared values, hope and collective capabilities can help it recover and continue its development.

He cautioned against assuming that the destruction of buildings and infrastructure could erase a nation’s ability to move forward, arguing that a society’s identity and culture extend far beyond its physical assets.

Iran’s History Offers Lessons in Recovery

The mayor noted that Iran had endured numerous invasions, wars and periods of pressure throughout its history, including the eight-year Iran-Iraq War and decades of sanctions.

Despite these challenges, he said, the country had continued to endure, with its people repeatedly demonstrating their ability to navigate difficult circumstances.

The 40-day war had offered further examples of this capacity, he added, pointing to public solidarity and efforts to sustain community life and urban services.

Ghasemzadeh said greater awareness of Iran’s historical and cultural resources could strengthen public confidence and hope for the future. A society that understands how previous generations overcame crises and rebuilt their lives, he argued, can draw on that experience when facing new challenges.

He also highlighted the role of religious faith in the concept of renewal, citing the lasting legacy of the Battle of Karbala and the martyrdom of Imam Hussein and his companions as an example of how an event intended to suppress a movement instead became a lasting source of inspiration across generations.

Although resilience is widely used in modern academic disciplines, he said, its underlying principles have deep roots in Iranian history, culture and religious beliefs.

Faith and Hope Strengthen Communities in Times of Adversity

Ghasemzadeh described religious faith as one of the factors that can help people confront hardship, particularly when combined with a sense of responsibility toward their homeland and community.

In Iranian society, he said, faith and national belonging have often worked together to encourage public participation, sacrifice and assistance to others during difficult periods.

He described residents’ presence in public squares during the conflict as an expression of social hope. Despite threats and damage, people continued to gather, support one another and seek to preserve their collective way of life.

Such solidarity should not be overlooked, he said, adding that the public’s willingness to protect the country and assist fellow citizens also places a responsibility on officials to recognize and strengthen these social resources.

Social Relationships Are Central to Urban Resilience

Ghasemzadeh emphasized that the resilience of a city depends not only on its physical infrastructure but also on the quality of relationships among its residents.

Cities facing war, earthquakes, floods or other emergencies need public cooperation to overcome disruption, he said. When residents understand one another’s circumstances, work together to address common problems and maintain social cohesion, the city becomes better equipped to manage the crisis and return to normal conditions.

Being together can itself strengthen a community, he added, by increasing hope and reducing feelings of isolation and helplessness.

During the 40-day war, he said, residents continued to demonstrate moments of warmth, smiles and mutual support despite the difficult circumstances. These interactions reflected the community’s ability to preserve morale and maintain solidarity under pressure.

He described this social capital as one of Iran’s most valuable resources, demonstrated through residents’ efforts to help others, reduce hardship and contribute to recovery.

Officials Must Recognize the Value of Public Participation

The mayor said the people themselves were one of the country's greatest strengths, citing their repeated willingness to help communities navigate emergencies and difficult periods.

In many cases, he said, residents act before formal support mechanisms are fully mobilized, assisting neighbors and addressing urgent needs through their own initiative.

Such actions demonstrate the importance of civic responsibility and public participation, he added, calling on officials to recognize these capabilities and create conditions that allow them to contribute effectively.

Ghasemzadeh stressed that public servants must remember that their primary responsibility is to serve the people, particularly a society that has repeatedly demonstrated its willingness to protect the country and support fellow citizens during difficult times.

From gathering in public squares to helping rebuild damaged homes and offering private properties to displaced families, residents have shown that social solidarity can be translated into practical action, he said.

He added that officials should continually assess whether they are fulfilling their responsibilities to the public and providing services commensurate with the needs and capabilities of the communities they serve.

Isfahan’s Resilience Depends on Infrastructure and Social Capital

Concluding his remarks, Ghasemzadeh said overcoming crises requires a combination of physical, managerial, cultural and social resources.

Resilient infrastructure and adequate urban facilities remain essential, but they must be complemented by efforts to strengthen public participation, social cohesion, hope and a sense of belonging to the city and country.

Recent experiences have shown that residents can play a role far beyond that of service recipients, becoming active contributors to damage reduction and urban recovery, he said.

The involvement of philanthropists in repairing damaged homes, residents’ efforts to provide accommodation and volunteer groups’ participation in emergency assistance all demonstrate the potential of community engagement.

A resilient city, Ghasemzadeh said, is one that mobilizes all its available resources to confront crises and has both reliable infrastructure and strong social relationships, ensuring that residents do not leave one another unsupported when difficulties arise.

Combining infrastructure preparedness with social capital can help reduce damage, accelerate reconstruction and sustain urban development, he added.

The mayor concluded by emphasizing the need for officials to appreciate and strengthen the public’s contribution, saying that people remain one of the country’s most important assets and a fundamental pillar of urban resilience in times of crisis.