Discourse Pathology of Strategic spatial planning in Iran

Since the mid-1960s and following the implementation of three development programs and the economic transformations that have taken place in the country and led to the concentration of investments in Tehran, the issue of redistribution of growth and wealth production across different regions of the country and control of the population increase in Tehran has been raised. Until today, the topic of strategic spatial planning and its optimal utilization has been discussed at various time intervals. Sometimes, actions have been taken under the title of strategic spatial planning or other related terms. However, for different reasons, attention to the concept of strategic spatial planning within planning system and development management of the country has not been addressed. Also, the economic planning system has never allowed serious expression of the existence and serious presentation of a strategic spatial planning approach.In fact, despite about half a century since the emergence of the need for strategic spatial planning which required depopulation of Tehran and balanced distribution of population and activities across the country and maximum and balanced utilization of the diverse capabilities of various regions and areas of the country, why this issue is still not settled? are the chosen strategic spatial planning approach correct and consistent with the requirements of the Iranian territory? Or there is a failure to properly integrate economic development policies with strategic spatial planning policies? During the implementation phase, are the programs deviated, and in reality, are the existing problems related to execution and implementers, or are they related to the programs and approaches themselves? Or have the unexpected events such as the eight-year imposed war and other factors like prolonged drought, regional and international political changes, and sanctions played a role? What role has the country’s political management system and administrative system played in this regard? To what extent have public culture and subcultures contributed to this situation? How can Strategic spatial planning effectively contribute to optimal and equitable utilization of the land and the well-being of all members of the Islamic Republic of Iran under the umbrella of the Islamic-Iranian model of progress?

The present research is applied and considers the importance of the strategic spatial planning approach in the progress of the country and aims to identify the effective factors in the non-implementation of this approach in the planning and management system of Iran. It also provides necessary strategies that can serve as useful guidance for planners and decision-makers. In terms of method and nature, this research is descriptive-analytic, and the data collection method is based on library sources.

Why strategic spatial planning has not become a discourse? In this regard, we can refer to two general categories of factors including general factors: public indifference to long-term issues and focus on short-term concerns, lack of a stable strategic planning system, lack of foresight and future-oriented thinking,  conflict between long-term Strategic spatial planning and short-term management, neglect of justice in the management and planning system and specific factors: theoretical ambiguity (lack of clarity in the approach), temporal gap, lack of clear and enforceable laws and regulations, absence of a strong educational and research foundation, conceptual dispersion and varying interpretations among experts (managers, academics, specialists), failure to transform into a public demand, lack of representation of peripheral regions in the central management circle, absence of an effective and continuous monitoring and oversight system with a focus on balanced development.

Based on the findings, the following strategies are proposed to change the current situation and transform the concept of strategic spatial planning into a discourse: discourse Formation at the elite level (including executive, academic, and specialized elites), promoting and reflecting the Islamic-Iranian model as an operational translator of the progress paradigm and a fundamental document for strategic spatial planning, ensuring justice in the fabric of the country’s management and planning system, establishment of a National Institution for Progress focusing on stability, foresight, and efficiency in the country’s management system, encouraging participation at all levels of planning and implementation, unified Planning and strategic spatial planning System: designing and implementing an efficient system for national planning and management, Effective Monitoring and Continuous Observation: establishing a national institution with legal authority and necessary resources for guiding and directing strategic spatial planning, designing and implementing an efficient monitoring and continuous observation system for the country’s spatial organization.