This chapter explores the development of city centers both in Iran and globally, tracing their evolution across various historical periods. Initially, it discusses the functional and societal roles of city centers in ancient Greek and Roman civilizations before moving to the Sassanid and post-Islamic contexts of Iran. The narrative then shifts to modern urban planning theories, analyzing the contributions of pioneers like Ebenezer Howard with his Garden City, Tony Garnier’s Industrial City, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Broadacre City, Soria y Mata's Linear City, and the work of Pierre Charles L’Enfant in Washington, DC, alongside the collaborative efforts of Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret. Subsequent sections examine post-World War II urban centers and contemporary manifestations such as suburban centers, shopping centers, indoor malls, and fashion centers. This analysis aims to provide insights into the lessons learned from historical urban development and their relevance to designing effective modern city centers. The chapter concludes by addressing various challenges faced by today’s city centers, which are often the result of inadequate design and planning.