Development of Mokran Coastal Region in Light of Chabahar Free Trade Zone

Creating free trade zones (FTZs), special economic zones (SEZs), or export processing zones (EPZs) are some of the regional development policies to enhance the community capacities to meet the needs. However, these zones had mainly encountered “island development” with the distribution of the region’s minimal works. So, the development in the multidimensional sense has not yet occurred in the life situation of the local community. In this context, the purpose of the research was to explain the development impact of the Chabahar Free Zone in the pervasive zone (the Makran Region), measuring by the semi-experimental method consecutively. First, the conceptual and measurement models, including criteria and indicators, were defined as a result of the documentary meta-synthesis and interviews. Then they were evaluated by the statistical and spatial data at different times before and after constructing the free zone. To this end, research results are validated by interviews with actors. Finally, the strategic suggestions are provided by Meta–SWOT technique to promote the effect of the Chabahar Free Zone. Results state that with the construction of this region, some capacities have been made for development. Having no long-term planning and social cohesion from the beginning resulted in some unpleasant phenomena such as social segregation and uneven development. The trade zone is expected to spread the development to the pervasive region has become a problem causing the flock to the city, unable to meet the inhabitants’ expectations.