Identification and Analysis of Factors Affecting Sustainable Local Development Around Tehran's Mosalla (Case Study: Abbasabad Neighborhood)

Eskandari Nasab, Forough; Sasanpour, Farzaneh

Identification and Analysis of Factors Affecting Sustainable Local Development Around Tehran's Mosalla (Case Study: Abbasabad Neighborhood)

Document Type : Origional Article

Authors

Forough Eskandari Nasab ¹ ^¶

Farzaneh Sasanpour ²

¹ Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Faculty of Geographical Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran

² Professor, Department of Human Geography, Faculty of Geographical Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Background and Objective: Urban megaprojects, as driving forces of transformation, play a decisive role in shaping the structure of cities; however, their impacts on the sustainable development of surrounding neighborhoods are complex and sometimes contradictory. The establishment of the Grand Mosalla of Tehran in the Abbas Abad neighborhood, in addition to significant physical changes, has led to the emergence of a paradox between economic prosperity and the quality of life of residents, which necessitates a scientific investigation of its underlying components. This study aims to identify and analyze the components affecting local sustainable development around Tehran’s Mosalla and to examine the interrelationships among these components.
Methodology: In terms of nature, the research is descriptive–analytical, and in terms of purpose, it is applied. Field data were collected through a researcher-designed questionnaire from 384 residents of the Abbas Abad neighborhood. To analyze the data and extract the latent dimensions of the project’s impacts, statistical tests including the t-test, factor analysis, and Pearson correlation analysis were employed using statistical software.
Results and Findings: The results of the factor analysis revealed that the impacts of the project can be classified into nine main factors encompassing infrastructural, economic, social, and environmental dimensions. Moreover, the findings of the correlation analysis indicated a significant relationship between infrastructural and economic growth and environmental challenges as well as demographic changes. In other words, although the presence of the Mosalla has led to increased employment, improved services, and physical transformations, this development process has simultaneously been accompanied by a reduction in green space per capita, increased pollution, and the displacement of the indigenous population. The study concludes that achieving sustainable development in this neighborhood requires managing the conflict between the components of economic growth and the preservation of environmental quality and social stability.

Keywords

"Local sustainable development"

"Tehran&‌‌‌‌rsquo

s Mosalla"

"driving forces"

"development components"

"Abbas Abad"

Subjects

Sustainable Urban Development

Puggioni, F., & Tontisirin, N. (2025). Mixed-use Developments and Urban Megaprojects in the Global South: A Systematic Review and Interpretation of a Blurred Intersection. Nakhara: Journal of Environmental Design and Planning, 24(1), 508-508.‏

Ali, Hamada E, Franziska Bucher, Solveig, (2021), Ecological Impacts of Megaprojects: Species Succession and Functional Composition, Plants (Basel). 2021 Nov; 10(11): 2411. Published online 2021 Nov 9.

Amini Parsa, Vahid; Yavari, Ahmadreza; Nezhadi, Atena. (1399). "Investigating Local People's Attitudes towards the Socio-Economic Impacts of Land Use Change in the Arasbaran Biosphere Reserve." Geographical Research Quarterly, 55(2), 45-60. [In Persian].

Azizi; Bahram. (1400). "Assessing the Impacts of Development Driver Projects in Urban Neighborhoods (Case Study: Molla Sadra Pit Neighborhood, Yazd City)." Quarterly Journal of Urban Studies, 10(37), 57-70. [In Persian].

Chan, E., & Lee, G. K. (2008). Critical factors for improving social sustainability of urban renewal projects. Social Indicators Research, 85, 243-256.

de Magalhães, R. F., Danilevicz, Â. D. M. F., & Saurin, T. A. (2017). Reducing construction waste: A study of urban infrastructure projects. Waste Management, 67, 265-277.

Durand, C. P., Andalib, M., Dunton, G. F., Wolch, J., & Pentz, M. A. (2011). A systematic review of built environment factors related to physical activity and obesity risk: implications for smart growth urban planning. Obesity Reviews, 12(5), e173-e182.

Farabi Asl, N., Rafieian, M., Alizadeh, M. (1400). Analyzing the Production of Urban Spaces from the Perspective of the Political Matter with the Actor-Network Theory Approach (Case Study: Abbas Abad Lands of Tehran). Urban Sociological Studies, 13(48), 116-147. [In Persian].

Fathi, S., Soroush, Mokhtarpour. (1396). Estimating the Impact Model of Social Trust Dimensions on Local and Regional Development from the Viewpoint of Residents of the 22 Districts of Tehran. Scientific and Research Quarterly Journal of New Perspectives in Human Geography, 10(1), 67-91. [In Persian].

Ghafarigilandeh, Ata, Rahmati, Mansour, Mahabadipour, Mohammad Mehdi, and Afshoon, Yaser. (1404). The Impact of Green Infrastructure on Creating a Sustainable Smart City in the Metropolis of Karaj. Quarterly Journal of Urban and Regional Sustainable Development Studies, 7(2), 207-229. [In Persian].

Gholami, Younes, Momenbik. (1397). Analyzing the Effects of Construction Projects on the Surrounding Fabric (Case Study: Twin Towers Project in Shahrekord). Geographical Research of Urban Planning, 6(3), 569-584. [In Persian].

Gurcay, M. (2018). Impact of mega projects on the resilience of Istanbul city-region. A thesis summited to the Graduate School of natural and Applied Science of the Middle East Technical University.

Hafizi, Bijan; Masoud, Abbasi; Enayat. (1402). "The Impacts of the Construction of Khorramabad-Arak Freeway on Rural Areas with an Emphasis on Sustainable Development Axes." Quarterly Journal of Geographical Studies of Mountainous Areas, 4(3), 143-160. [In Persian].

Heidarzadeh, Mohammad Hadi; Jafari Varamini, Amirhossein; Khoshnam, Hashem. (1385). "Assessing the Environmental Impacts of Urban Projects: An Approach Towards Sustainable Urban Development." Journal of Environmental Studies, 32(4), 45-58. [In Persian].

Jin, S. (2025). Current status and trends of megaproject research: bibliometric and text mining analysis. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management.‏

Korytárová, Jana, Hromádka, Vít, (2014), The Economic Evaluation of Megaprojects – Social and Economic Impacts, Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 119 (2014) 495 – 502.

Li, Y., Chen, Y., & Li, Z. (2022). The impact of urban megaprojects on sustainable urban development: A systematic review. Sustainable Cities and Society, 76, 103508.

Mirhosseini, Seyedmajidaddin; Babaee, Seyedmehdi. (1390). "Investigating Local Site Effects on Strong Ground Motions in the Abbas Abad Area (Tehran Prayer Hall Scope)." Earth Science Journal, 21(82), 45-58. [In Persian].

Mitoula, Roido, Papavasileiou, Angelos, (2023), Mega infrastructure projects and their contribution to sustainable development: the case of the Athens Metro, Economic Change and Restructuring volume 56, pages1943–1969 (2023).

Molaei. (1398). "Exploring Context-Based Urban and Regional Competitiveness Capabilities (Case Study of Tabriz City)." Spatial Planning, 9(4), 109-138. [In Persian].

Nazamfar, Hossein, Afshoon, Yaser, and Mahabadipour, Mohammad Mehdi. (1404). Evaluation and Ranking of Districts in Region 6 of Tehran Based on the Development of Smart City Indicators and Factors Affecting Their Improvement. (e223731). Quarterly Journal of Urban and Regional Sustainable Development Studies, e223731. [In Persian].

Neuger, M., & Susilawati, C. (2025). Urban Megaprojects from Isolation to Integration: A Property Market Perspective on Flagship Buildings. Buildings (2075-5309), 15(7).

Parvin, Sattar. (1402). Assessing the Socio-Cultural Consequences of Urban Projects: Case Study of Fakhr Razi Street Book Parklet. Quarterly Journal of Urban and Regional Development Planning, 9(30), 49-85. [In Persian].

Ponzini, D., Bianconi, M., & Akhavan, M. (2020). Urban megaprojects, nation-state politics and regulatory capitalism in Central and Eastern Europe: The Belgrade Waterfront project. Territory, Politics, Governance, 8(4), 449-468.

Pourahmad, A., Ziari, K., Hataminejad, H., Rezaeinia, H. (1397). An Analysis of the Nature of Public Space in Large-Scale Urban Tourism Projects Based on the Theory of 'Social Production of Space': Case Study of Tehran. Urban Tourism, 5(2), 135-159. [In Persian].

Rahbripour, Kasra; Setari Sarbanqoli, Hassan; Darskhwan, Rasoul. (1395). "Analyzing the Socio-Economic Impacts of the National Carpet Museum of Tabriz on the Urban Economy of this Metropolis." Urban Studies Journal, 12(3), 45-60. [In Persian].

Ranjbar, Mirgholami, Khiatpour Najib. (1402). Towards Explaining the Concept of Placemaking in Underground Urban Public Spaces. Urban Design Discourse; A Review of Literature and Contemporary Theories, 5(4), 0-2. [In Persian].

Rezaei, Amirhossein, Salehi, Samaneh. (1402). Environmental Compatibility Theory in Designing Sustainable Social Spaces. Tajalli Art in Architecture and Urban Planning, 1(2), 61-73. [In Persian].

Sajjadi, Zhila, Kelantari, Bahram, Yari Gholi. (1396). Explaining Public Space in Local Sustainable Development (Case Study: Shafaq Park, Yousef Abad Neighborhood, Tehran). Quarterly Journal of Urban and Regional Development Planning, 1(2), 83-118. [In Persian].

Salet, W. (2021). Public Norms and Aspirations: The Turn to Institutions in Action. Routledge.

Saljooghi, Nastren and Nasim Saljooghi. (1394). "Understanding and Analyzing the Renovation and Beautification Project of the Surrounding Fabric of the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (A.S.) in Mashhad." In: International Conference on New Research Achievements in Civil Engineering, Architecture and Urban Planning. [In Persian].

Sarvar, Rahim; Nemati Kotenaee, Ali; Nemati Kotenaee, Mohammad. (1399). "Developing, Screening, and Prioritizing Indicators for Planning Urban Development Driver Projects, Case Study: Reviewing Identified Indicators in the Metropolis of Tehran." Ideal City Architecture and Urban Planning, 13(30), 291-310. [In Persian].

Sasanpour, F., and Hatami, A. (1402). Future Cities: Sustainable Smart Cities (Principles, Concepts, and Approaches) (1st ed.). Tehran: Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies, Academic Jihad. [In Persian].

Sasanpour, F.; Movahed, S.; Soleimani Mehranjani; and Delfan Azeri. (1401). Analyzing the Effects of Malls on the Sustainability of Local Communities (Case Study: Cities of Abbasabad County). Geography and Regional Development, 20(3), 1-33. [In Persian].

Siemiatycki, M. (2013). "Riding the wave: explaining cycles in urban mega-project development." Journal of Economic Policy Reform, 16(2), 160-178.

Soleimani, Meghdad, Eztian, Shahreh. (1394). Applying the Local Sustainable Development Approach with an Ecological Economy Axis in the Southern Babukan Neighborhood Located in District 11 of Isfahan Municipality. [In Persian].

Tarazona Vento, A. (2017). "Mega-project meltdown: post-politics, neoliberal urban regeneration and Valencia’s fiscal crisis." Urban Studies, 54(1), 68-84.

Yazdanpanah, Seyed Mohammad; Bayati, Ali. (1402). "Construction Order Contracts in Iranian Law with an Emphasis on Urban Projects of Metropolises and a Look at the International Sale of Goods Convention." Scientific Quarterly Journal of Urban Economics and Management, 11(44), 141-158. [In Persian].

Yildiz, S., Kivrak, S., & Arslan, G. (2017). Factors affecting environmental sustainability of urban renewal projects. Civil Engineering and Environmental Systems, 34(3-4), 264-277.

Zal, Mohammad Hassan, Fallah. (1393). Structure and Function in Ritual Architecture of Mazandaran; Case Study of Seyyedanfars of Fereydunkenar. Scientific Research Journal of Social and Cultural Development Studies, 2(3), 79-99. [In Persian].

Zarei, Ali, Hashemizarjabad, Hassan, and Masoudi, Zabiollah. (1395). The Role and Position of the Holy Shrine of Razavi in the Formation and Evolution of Urban Life in Mashhad-e Razavi. Great Khorasan Research Journal, 7(23), 105-115. [In Persian].

Zheng, Ixia (2020). Research on the impact of mega-projects on carrying capacity of cities taking the first-line project of the West-East gas pipeline as an example, Journal of Management Science and Engineering, Volume 5, Issue 3, Pages 195-211,

Zhou, S., Zhai, G., Lu, Y., & Shi, Y. (2021). "The development of urban mega-projects in China: A case study of Nantong’s metro project." Environment and Planning B: Urban Analytics and City Science, 48(4), 759-774.