Cities and neighborhoods are constantly evolving. To describe an ongoing shift, trend, or trajectory in Farsi, you can use the phrase رو به (literally "facing" or "turning to").
The Trajectory Formula
To state that something is heading in a specific direction, combine رو به with an abstract noun. If you use a simple present copula (like است), it indicates an ongoing, current trajectory.
| These old buildings are heading towards dilapidation. | این ساختمانهای قدیمی رو به فرسودگی است.in sâkhtemân-hâye ghadimi ro be farsudegi ast. |
You can also pair this structure with the verb رفتن (to go). This emphasizes the active movement of the trend and is particularly useful for describing trajectories in the past or conditional futures.
| That neighborhood was heading towards dilapidation before the renovation. | آن محله قبل از نوسازی رو به فرسودگی میرفت.ân mahalle ghabl az nowsâzi ro be farsudegi miraft. |
Describing Revitalization and Growth
Once you know the formula, you can pair it with any abstract noun to discuss complex socio-economic shifts, such as urban renewal or gentrification. Notice how the nouns follow directly after رو به.
| With this project, the city is heading towards progress and renovation. | با این پروژه، شهر رو به ترقی و نوسازی است.bâ in porozhe, shahr ro be taraqqi va nosâzi ast. |
| Gentrification in this neighborhood is on the rise. | اعیانسازی در این محله رو به افزایش است.a'yânsâzi dar in mahalle ro be afzâyesh ast. |
Stagnation and Decline
This structure works equally well for discussing periods of economic decline, stagnation, or disarray.
| The housing market in this city is heading towards stagnation. | بازار مسکن در این شهر رو به رکود است.bâzâr maskan dar in shahr ro be rokud ast. |
As always, when using a verb of motion like رفتن, remember to conjugate it to match the subject and tense of your sentence.
| We must invest in this street, otherwise the neighborhood will head towards disarray. | باید در این خیابان سرمایهگذاری کنیم، وگرنه محله رو به نابسامانی میرود.bâyad dar in khiyâbân sarmâyegozâri konim, vagarna mahalle ro be nâbesâmâni miravad. |
As neighborhoods transform, you can also use this construction to describe what is fading away or being left behind.
| The traditional culture of the neighborhood is heading toward oblivion. | فرهنگ سنتی محله رو به فراموشی است.farhang-e sonnati-ye mahalle ro be farâmushi ast. |