Cities and urbanization in Iran after the Islamic revolution

Abstract

Many transformations and reforms have occurred in Iranian society, one of the most important of which has been the change in urban systems. Population has increased rapidly and there was an increase in the number of cities, too. Iranian urban systems have been under the influence of capitalist relations since 1960; however, approximately after the Islamic revolution that situation led to the overthrowing of traditional connections between cities and villages. This condition has been exacerbated after the war with Iraq. Population growth, the increase of economic and social differences and inequalities among cities or between cities and villages are only samples of these results. Nevertheless, urban and rural conditions have improved as compared to the period before the Islamic Revolution. The main purpose of this paper is to investigate the geographical and spatial distribution and changes in cities size and urbanization. Furthermore, this research will also compare cities in relation to population growth. The main result of this study shows that differences between the capital city (Tehran) and other cities have increased. This difference must be attributed to urban mismanagement.