EVALUATION OF NEW TOWNS CONSTRUCTION IN THE AROUND OF TEHRAN MEGACITY

Abstract

Rapid pace of urbanization which has affected third world countries is a by-product of the post-1945 period. In most developing countries like Iran, spatial population distribution is not balanced, leading to the deficiencies in services, hygiene, formation of slums, and etc. To balance those patterns in the country, different strategies have been applied, one of which is the construction of new cities. This study aims to examine the role of new cities in balancing spatial population distribution in Tehran province. For this purpose, first, the changes in the population of Iran and its urban mechanisms are studied; then, the performances of new towns in previous decades are examined. To analyze data and investigate the role of new cities, entropy coefficient model was used. The results showed that new towns of Tehran have not affected population overflow and deconcentration successfully; as a result, urban officials need to revise construction policies in those cities.