An Analysis of Patterns and Effective Criteria on Territorial Zoning in Iran

Masoudi, Hasan; Amini, Davood; Ebrahimi, Hamed

doi:10.22034/gp.2024.56697.3138

An Analysis of Patterns and Effective Criteria on Territorial Zoning in Iran

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

¹ Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Faculty of Humanities, University of Tarbiat Modares

² Department of Geography - Imam Ali Officer University

³ PhD in Geopolitics, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

10.22034/gp.2024.56697.3138

Abstract

Governments and societies have historically divided their territories into different regions and areas to better manage their land and preserve the territorial integrity of their country. This practice is now related to the concept of spatial planning, particularly "Territorial Zoning". Territorial Zoning aims to achieve cohesive management and the National Division of Labor, as well as utilize the potential of different regions to reduce territorial inequalities and imbalances. In Iran, Territorial Zoning has been implemented by various organizations over the past decades, with the most recent division into nine major regions in 2017. In this descriptive-analytical research, the extensive literature on Spatial planning and Territorial Zoning plans in Iran is reviewed, providing a comprehensive history of these programs. The research then critiques and analyzes these programs. The most important criteria influencing land zoning are identified and prioritized using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method and the opinions of experts. According to the findings, the most important criteria for Territorial Zoning are "cultural-social", "defense-military", and "political-administrative". The sub-criteria of "environmental issues", "level of regional development", "population distribution", "government pattern and type", and "threats and security issues" are also deemed important. Based on the findings and results of the research, the authors propose their own Territorial Zoning plan in the form of ten major regions. This research contributes to the understanding of the history and current state of territorial Zoning in Iran and provides valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners in the field of Territorial Zoning and spatial planning.

Keywords