Developmental instability in Iran: Its impact on housing since 1962

Abstract

Although somewhat neglected in the housing literature, the progress of whole sector housing development very much depends upon long-term development policies and performances over periods of some 30 years and more. Housing sector development is also dependent upon shorter term macro-economic policies and performances. Countries which have developmental instability and highly fluctuating macro-economic performances are likely to experience generally significant constraints and even some setbacks in housing sector development, with policies becoming fragmented and detached from an appropriate integration with development. Such has been the experience in Iran. Instabilities arose in the redirection of political power with the overthrow of the Shah's regime in 1979 and the installation of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Political revolution and change also affected economic policies for development. The Shah's regime had sought a quick route to modernization by way of selected development of industry, but at risk and with rural-urban imbalance. Then under the Islamic Republic regime, development policies have sought to achieve the multiple objectives of social justice, modernization, and ‘politically correct’ Islamic institutional conditions. These objectives have not been readily reconciled with each other, and Iran has experienced the further instabilities of war with Iraq in the years 1980–1988 and the severe earthquake of 1990. Housing sector development has consequently experienced significant constraints, notwithstanding the post-1979 regime's necessity to try to maintain some degree of popular support, with housing being significant in this. Issues of developmental (in)stability are relevant to the UN Centre for Human Settlements (UNCHS-Habitat) and World Bank's Global Strategy for Shelter (GSS), developed in the years 1986 to 1993.