Necessity Determination of Relocating the Capital City With a Defensive Planning Approach

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine the necessity of moving the capital and its impact on economic, social, and environmental aspects with a defensive planning approach. Data collection tools are statistical documents and questionnaires. Indices examined contain 26 demographic, economic, environmental, infrastructure, health, and security-defense indices. To analyze the data, the statistical methods of spatial autocorrelation of Moran and Ripley's K function were used. The results show that centralization in the demographic, economic, and political dimensions of Tehran as capital city, along with the natural threats and crises such as floods and earthquakes, has led to underdevelopment and environmental issues. In addition, the unequal distribution of services in the provinces of the country and the centralization of services and facilities in the capital has raised the need to move the capital as a strategy. In this strategy, the government should pay more attention to the country's macroeconomics, especially the per capita GDP, including as well long-term forecasts and development plans for the provinces because only macroeconomic stability can lead to more stable economics in all parts of the country. Under such circumstances, any policy regarding the relocation of the capital will be easier in the future, and the economic and political stability of the country will not be disrupted.