Identification and Analysis of Factors Affecting Sustainable Local Development Around Tehran's Mosalla (Case Study: Abbasabad Neighborhood)
Volume 7, Issue 3, Autumn 2026, Pages 72-91
Forough Eskandari Nasab, Farzaneh Sasanpour
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.