The pathology of housing policies in Iran: a criterion-based analysis

Abstract

Purpose Housing policy is a key tool in urban development and has multiple functions that directly affect human welfare. This study aims to review housing policies in Iran from a critical perspective. In fact, the study and pathology of housing policies are considered in this research. Design/methodology/approach To advance this research, a quantitative (fuzzy TOPSIS and fuzzy AHP) method was used to rank the policies and the qualitative method (interview and literature review) was used for the pathology of housing policies. Findings The failure of policies to provide housing in Iran is decisive, but social housing policy has a relative superiority to other policies. Causes of failure of Iranian housing policies are as follows in a pathological perspective: commodification and speculative approach to housing; lake of social and physical sustainability; social stratification and classification; inconsistency with environmental conditions; non-indigenous nature of housing policies; exclusion of local institutions in the decision-making process; and the dominance of a populist perspective on housing. Originality/value This study is a comprehensive study because it has been extracted from the dissertation. By reading this study, the reader will be aware of the general conditions of the Iranian housing sector.

Housing policy and demographic changes: the case of Iran

“…Housing policy is a key tool in urban development and has multiple functions that directly affect human welfare (Zarghamfard et al , 2019). There is a direct correlation between housing and housing policies and demography changes.…”

“…The housing problem, especially in Iranian large cities, has emerged since 1970 and has passed several difficulties over the past years; therefore, it caused various social and economic crises (Zarghamfard et al , 2019). It has been sometimes used not as a primary necessity but as a socioeconomic value and a mean for capital preservation and accumulation.…”

“…Indeed, in the post-revolutionary period, seven major policies and plans have been implemented in Iran’s housing sector: Mass (P.A.K.) Housing, Cooperative Housing, New Towns, Land Development, Rental Housing, Mehr Housing and Social Housing (Zarghamfard et al , 2019). P.A.K.…”

“…This urbanization can now be studied from different dimensions. One of its dimensions is “Housing” (Zarghamfard et al , 2019). After migration to cities during the mentioned period, housing demand in large cities increased.…”

Analysis of factors affecting the realization of right to adequate housing in Iran: developing an interpretive-structural model

“…Yet the phenomenon of urbanization comes with numerous challenges, including the urban poverty, development of slums and lack of adequate housing, to name a few of the most important ones. The source of many social, economic, technical and political challenges in the southern countries can be searched in the unleashed urbanization (Zarghamfard et al , 2019). This has led to some crises in the capitalistic neo-liberal world of today, where the city fails to go through a normal flow ad rather undergoes interruptions in different parts.…”