The guiding principle in developing the strategic document

Nowadays, commercial complexes and specially shopping centers as the most obvious and the latest type of these complexes have changed into an active commercial nucleus of large and modern cities due to their function and importance in daily life of citizens. Different forms of shopping centers provide diverse goods and services for their customers. Apart from economic and commercial functions, they have accepted social-cultural and recreational functions. They have changed into a place for dynamic social and cultural interactions and a place for spending free time along with shopping. As if social-cultural roles of old Iranian bazaars are recreated in a modern format. Considering the extent of commercial complex role, function and importance in social, economic and recreational activation of urban areas, strategic planning for construction and development of these complexes is especially sensitive. The present article introduces principles and foundations of drafting strategic document and planning such complexes using global literature and experiences. Descriptive-analytic research method is used. Information is collected using documentary method. Results indicate that there are four strategic areas in strategic planning of these complexes: locating area, design and tenure area, research and consultation area, financial area and each of these areas have their own goals, strategies, guidelines.