The meaning induced by the built environment and characteristics of its fabric is comprised of those principles and values that arise form this environment. In other words, the environment, together with its symbols, proportions, signs , components, shapes, forms, colors and other features is expressive of two issues; first, the ideology and culture responsible for shaping the environment and, second the principles and values that are induced to human beings and thus playa role in cultural transformations.
There is a mutual relationship between the enviroment and culture. The effects of environment on Man, his character and manner (in general) have been a source of study for philosophers from many times ago. This issue has also drawn the attention of philosophers in different fields (psychology, aestetics, sociology and philosophy) in the contemporary world. A limited domain of the environment (the built environment: city and architecture) will be considered in this article following an introduction including general ideas and definitions. The roots of the idea of environment's effects on human beings, branches of the effects of built environment on human beings and induction of cultural values in Iranian cities will be studied briefly and at the end some suggestions will be presented as a conclusion.
)