Reviewing and analysing the executive policies of Iranian governments in providing affordable housing for residents of informal settlements: A case study of Mashhad, Iran
Abstract
This study aims to examine the governmental policies of Iran in providing affordable housing for low-income groups during the period 1989–2021 and to analyse the efficiency and effectiveness of these policies across six national economic and social development plans. The research is applied in purpose and employs a descriptive–analytical methodology. Data was collected through documentary and library studies, field observations, expert interviews, and questionnaires. The paper first clarifies the position of affordable housing within national macro-policies and the governmental strategies for low-income housing provision. Subsequently, the gaps and the level of success of these policies after the Islamic Revolution are evaluated through expert interviews and analysed using SPSS software. The study assessed the efficiency and effectiveness of the plans across four dimensions — physical, economic, social, and institutional–managerial — covering 26 indicators in total. The findings reveal that the performance of the programmes in Mashhad varies across different indicators, and the governmental housing policies have not achieved their intended objectives. Their overall effectiveness is assessed as approximately average. Furthermore, weaknesses in provincial and local executive systems are identified as the main reasons for the limited success of the plans. One of the paper’s key recommendations is to strengthen coordination among provincial, local, and municipal institutions in Mashhad in order to avoid overlapping actions within target areas. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.
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Author's Biography
Dr Farzaneh Razzaghian is an Assistant Professor in the Urban and Regional Sustainable Development Group of the Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research, Mashhad, Iran. She received her PhD in urban planning and her master’s degree in urban management from Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in architectural engineering and is licensed to practise architecture at the senior level. Farzaneh has around 15 years’ experience in conducting research activities in various fields of urban planning, urban management, and architecture. In the last five years, her research has extended to addressing the problems of housing for low-income groups, especially residents of informal settlements. The present paper is the result of this research.
