Relocation of Tehran

Realistic Proposition, Wishful Thinking, or Political Agenda?

By: Ali A. Kiafar, PhD, REFP

After several years and a few times that the relocation of the Iran’s capital city had been  brought up, the subject has come up again. Masoud Pezeshkian the newly elected president of Iran has publicly stated that considering the many probes Tehran has been facing, such as the land subsidence (sudden sinking of land), pollution, shortage of water, there appears to be no option but to relocate the capital.

This is not the first time that an Iranian president proposes this idea, In the past, during the presidency of Mahmoud Ahmadi-Nejad, there were many discussions about this subject and an efforts to actually de-centralize Tehran by relocation some of the government offices and administrative functions to locations in other provinces. That effort was grossly unsuccessful and resulted in the extensive expenses and loss of human and other resources.

The resurrection of the idea of relocation the capital, under the significant subtitle of “Recuing Tehran” has generated some significant discussions and exchanges of opinions within Iran, especially by professionals such as city planners and architects, and other concerned individuals, Even outside Iran, mainly among diaspora scholars, some attention has been paid to this subject. Nonetheless, it remains to be seen and tested in reality how serious, fact-based and realistic the thought and proposed move of Tehran is and will produce positive results if implemented.

In this article, I will provide some references to the experiences of similar attempts in other parts of the world with emphasis on te importance of considering the lessons learned from those attempts. But mainly, I will discuss the pros and cons (positive and negative aspects) of a potential relocation of Tehran, the major metropolitan capital of Iran. Included in my discussion will be a perspective on how feasible and realistic the idea of relocation the capital of Iran maybe, even if there is real intention and not just pep talk about it.

Lessons to be Learned About New Capital Cities in a Global Context

The relocation of a capital city is a complex urban decision with various dimensions and consequences for both the old and new capital. It can be driven by political, economic, societal, and other factors. It certainly will urban and architectural implications for residents. The facts to consider with significant human and socio-economic-political impacts include, but are not limited to, climatic conditions, location finding, planning, design, budgeting of the new city/capital and re-purposing the old capital, its infrastructure and resources, and proper planning and implementation of the separation of the political and administrative hubs from cultural and economic functions in both cities.

To give discussion a more empirical perspective the experiences of some countries, similar to or not way different from Iran are  of importance and need to be carefully and comprehensibly studied. That in-depth analysis is outside of the scope and volume of this article, and should in fact be undertaken by the decision makers and policy analysts in Iran. In this respect countries such as Egypt, Indonesia, Brazil, Nigeria and Ivory Coast should be chosen – at minimum. To open the door and provide background I will make some points about those countries built or planned new capitals.

In light of the ongoing urban discourse, countries like Egypt are or have been constructing a new capital city to alleviate population and urban stress on their old capitals. Replacement of Cairo as the capital of the ancient country. Similarly, Indonesia has been planning a new capital in response to challenges faced by Jakarta, such as pollution, traffic congestion, and rising sea levels. Other countries on the global such a Brazil, Nigeria and Ivory Coast have in fact built new capitals and have relocated their former capital cities. There are valuable lessons to be learned from those experiences. Such lessons should be studied and learned from in at least the following important and relevant areas:

Top- Down Approach and Implementation or Natural and Adaptive Growth

Urban Decadence or Dilapidated Neighborhoods

Urban Developmental Imbalances

Natural Resources Losses

Those interested in finding more about those cases may refer the following article:                  “Lessons from Relocating and Building New Capital Cities in the Global South” – Arch Daily, February 1, 2024

Building a Case for Relocation of Tehran

Relocation of a capital city like Tehran can have a range of positive and negative aspects and consequences, depending on the context and goals of such a move. Here below is a breakdown of the pros and cons of the potential relocating Tehran, the capital of Iran, each of which can be argued and analyzed in a more detailed article:

A- Positive Aspects and Consequences:

1- Reduced Traffic Congestion, Air Pollution, Population Density:

2- Balanced Regional Development: Economic Growth, Infrastructure

3- Strategic Considerations: Security, Geographic Benefits

4- Opportunities for Better Urban Planning

5- Appropriate Short- and Long-Range Planning, Urban Design, Revitalization and Life Conditions.

6- Economic Diversifications; New, Well-Balanced Opportunities

B- Negative Aspects and Consequences

1- Exorbitant Costs: Relocation Expenses, Economic Disruption

2- Displacement and Social Impact: Population Displacement, Cultural Impact

3- Implementation Challenges: Logistical Issues (moving government operations and institutions to a new location

4- Resistance to Change; Infrastructure and Services:

5- Costly Learning Curve

6- Economic and Political Instability

Summary:

While in theory relocating the capital of Iran from Tehran could bring benefits such as reduced congestion and more balanced regional development, in practice it poses significant challenges including high costs, social displacement, and logistical hurdles. The success of such a move would largely depend on careful planning, advanced implementation preparedness, strategic execution, and addressing potential disruptions effectively.

An Undisputable Reality:

One particular reality about Iran needs to be addressed and thoroughly attended.

All indications are that it is very difficult, if not impossible, to find a location in Iran that would be suitable for establishing a new capital in terms of water supply, access to natural resources, ability to easily receive the necessary infrastructures and services, and climatic conditions. Let us consider some specifics:

Location Considerations: The northern regions face issues with water supply and the depletion of Hyrcanian forests (in the region located southeast of the Caspian Sea). The southern part of Iran, according to well established research, will not be habitable in the next 20 years. Certain, large parts of this region have already recorded temperatures of up to 72 degrees Celsius this year. The central region of Iran is also experiencing severe land subsidence, with no feasible solution for remediation. The eastern and western provinces are geopolitically and strategically unsuitable for a variety of reasons including but not limited to unstable, if not hostile, relationship, with neighboring countries’ political forces and the dominant regimes.

Saving Tehran from further decline:  Considering all factors and impediments, it seems that the only viable solution to save Tehran is to undertake urgent measures, build or revitalize urban elements required for a comfortable life, even a minimum standard infrastructures and facilities, and foster a culture among the populace to reform water, electricity, and energy consumption patterns. Otherwise, the population will all be caught in this vortex of constant decline.

Trees Planation and Water Channeling and Consumption Reduction: Changing the planting of water-intensive, deciduous trees, which are dormant during winter when air purification is needed, to evergreen trees is essential. Preventing the diversion of upstream water sources outside Tehran through the construction of concrete channels and reviving Tehran’s underground aquifers are crucial steps.

Urban and Life Sustainable Measures: Consideration of renewable energy and gray water should no longer be merely rhetorical, and every possible method should be employed, even made mandatory.

Environmental Attentions: The preservation and ownership of Tehran’s gardens by the municipality, instead of encroachments into their domains and building structures that if not unnecessary, could be built somewhere else.

Planning and Implementation of Conservation and Revitalization: Adequate plans to address the dilapidated neighborhoods and infrastructures should be given proper attention. They need to be properly prioritized.

Consumption Reduction: Additionally, replacing high-consumption vehicles with hybrid and electric ones at internationally accepted standards and prices, among many other initiatives to reduce gasoline consumption and air pollution, is necessary.

Finally, the Key Consideration:

Toning down, if not eliminating, unrealistic promises: The officials’ approach, emphasized by the public’s expectation should focus on the following:

Government officials, especially the publicly elected office holders, need to adhere to commitments to utilize skilled experts and express their views more thoughtfully before making emotional statements in public gatherings. The cost of upgrading the infrastructure of an existing city to serve as the capital is said by different sources to amount to approximately $100 billion, excluding the cost of constructing new buildings. Instead of pursuing such a costly endeavor. Instead, the focus should be put on more realistic, doable actions with perhaps more benefit to the public in general.

Many of the more practical and more easily reachable solutions should be examined and articulated by capable and well-intentioned decision makers, politicians with goodwill and abilities, and experienced technical forces such as city planners and architects. Unfortunately, at this moment it seems, the relevant organizations lack the foresight, will, or required expertise to implement these measures effectively.

Ali A. Kiafar, PhD. REFP, is an Architect, Urban & Regional Planner, Researcher, and University Faculty Member