Assessment of Institutions in Sustainable Urban-Management Effects on Sustainable Development of Tehran: Learning from a Developing Country

Abstract

Land-use patterns are important to urban planning and management and face challenges from market forces, government, and local urban management in Iran. This research examines the problems arising from such issues in the comprehensive urban-planning and management system. The Article Five Commission (AFC) of Tehran is a legal intersectoral institution for urban planning intended to coordinate the actions of organs influential in the development of Tehran. It acts as the supreme decision-making authority for approval of detailed plans and land-use change for the city. The AFC as a legal institution that can take action to preserve sustainable urban development (SUD) by approving or rejecting land-use-change proposals with the goal of preserving the social benefits and public rights of residents. This study evaluated the effective factors for the function and positions of the AFC toward SUD of Tehran. It used an analytical survey that collected data using documentary methods and a questionnaire on the given variables. The authors applied the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis method for data evaluation and weighted factors in accordance with expert opinion. The study shows that, although the AFC acts as a mediator between relevant institutions, not all districts in Tehran follow its policies and coordinative plans. Moreover, the commission itself is under pressure from special interest groups and hidden markets that desire changes in urban use for the exclusive benefit of small groups that may contrast with the benefits to the public.