A Historical analysis of housing policies in Iran from the islamic revolution to 2014

ABSTRACT
Housing is recognized as a basic human right in the constitutions and declarations of many countries, with various policies addressing this need. In Iran, housing policy initiatives began with the Third Development Plan and were reinforced after the Revolution when housing became a constitutional right. However, housing provision remains a challenge. Therefore, it is crucial to examine Iran's housing policies over time and compare them with global strategies. This study uses library-based data collection to examine Iranian housing policies through historical-comparative content analysis. It explores how the goals and content of housing policies have evolved from the Revolution to 2021 and identifies which global housing approaches were adopted in each period. A public-policy content analysis framework was selected, focusing on objectives, tools, and key institutions. Major policy documents from each period were analyzed within this framework to identify the global approach applied in each phase. The findings indicate that Iran’s housing policies throughout the analyzed period largely aligned with global approaches used until the early 1980s, with a focus on social objectives, shifting to economic goals thereafter. Correspondingly, the tools utilized predominantly included special concessions and loans, regulatory delegation, command-based laws, financial support for stakeholders, and direct provision of goods. The pivotal role of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has led to the dominance of administrative agencies as the main implementing bodies, with citizens emerging as a secondary group of stakeholders, particularly in light of the increasing importance of public participation in policies.
Extended Abstract
Introduction
Housing is a fundamental human right emphasized in declarations and constitutional laws of various countries. Despite numerous policies addressing housing issues, the results indicate that while these policies have alleviated problems for low-income groups, they have never fully resolved the issue of inadequate housing.
In Iran, the housing problem dates back to the 1960s when land reform laws were introduced. Consequently, housing policymaking began with the Third Development Plan and continued after the Islamic Revolution with the adoption of the Constitution, which recognized housing as a universal right. However, despite these policies and legislations during the Islamic Revolution era, apart from some improvements for low-income groups in the first decade, the remaining housing programs and policies, despite incurring significant costs, failed to provide low-income groups with adequate housing effectively. Thus, housing remains a persistent issue in Iran, with a substantial gap between supply and demand. Given the importance of learning from the past for future planning, it is crucial to analyze past housing policies to devise appropriate strategies moving forward. Accordingly, this study aims to analyze Iran’s housing policies from the Islamic Revolution to 2021, comparing the objectives and content of these policies including tools and organizations within the framework of all legislative inputs (development programs, laws, and resolutions).
 
Methodology
This study is applied research employing a descriptive-analytical approach. Following a qualitative methodology within an interpretive paradigm, the research utilizes a historical-deductive content analysis method. The required data were collected through a documentary approach, using laws, resolutions, development programs, and bylaws issued by official institutions such as the Parliament, the Cabinet, and the Supreme Council of Architecture and Urban Planning of Iran within the study period from the Islamic Revolution (1979) to 2021. The detailed categories extracted from the documents of each period were organized into broader categories defined by the theoretical framework of this research. This framework analyzed policies based on their objectives, tools, and implementing actors. Subsequently, the relevant framework for each document was established.
 
Results and discussion
The analysis of housing policies over six policymaking periods since the Islamic Revolution reveals that, except for the fifth period (Ahmadinejad’s administration), which introduced a resolution related to empowerment, other periods predominantly focused on social housing, land-services provisions, and loan issuance. From the third period onward (the Reconstruction era and beyond), in addition to conventional financial policies (such as granting loans), incentives like tax exemptions and subsidies were introduced to facilitate housing for low-income groups through rentals or homeownership. Rent control, land banking, and urban renewal policies were limited to the first and second periods. Overall, the housing policies implemented since the Islamic Revolution primarily reflect global policies prevailing before the 1980s, with only one exception, a resolution addressing empowerment, aligning with global trends from the early 1980s.
The objectives of housing policies during this era predominantly aligned with social policy goals, followed by economic goals. However, some laws, such as the first to sixth development plans and those concerning abandoned urban and rural lands, also incorporated political objectives, emphasizing institutions and housing management.
Findings suggest that informational tools, including public awareness campaigns and research centers, were minimally utilized to achieve policy objectives. While some development programs and regulations highlighted advisory roles, the most commonly used tools were special incentives and loans, followed by command-and-control regulations, financial support for beneficiaries, and direct provision of goods and services.
Regarding the organizations involved, administrative agencies were identified as the primary actors due to the significant roles played by the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development and its affiliated departments in land provision, housing planning, and management. Additionally, the crucial role of banks in providing financial resources and housing loans was emphasized. Given that many policies assigned part of the execution responsibilities to citizens, they emerged as key stakeholders in housing policy implementation alongside administrative agents.
 
Conclusion
Despite six periods of housing policymaking since the Islamic Revolution, there has been little change in the content and objectives of these policies. A comparison with global trends indicates that Iran’s policies have largely reflected pre-1980s global approaches, except for a single resolution on empowerment introduced during the fifth period. The objectives of housing policies have predominantly aligned with social and economic goals, occasionally addressing political aims.Based on the analysis and identified shortcomings, the following overarching recommendations can be made for housing policies:

Emphasizing the adoption of more recent global housing policies and approaches introduced after the 1980s, with a particular focus on empowering residents.
Strengthening the role of citizens in policy implementation, especially considering their ownership in worn-out urban textures.
Involving the judiciary as a key institution in policy execution, given the significance and enforcement of command-and-control laws and the need for proper oversight.
Incorporating cultural objectives into housing policies, particularly since the fifth period, which emphasized revitalizing deteriorated areas and adhering to Iranian-Islamic urban planning principles.
Enhancing the use of informational tools, especially leveraging specialized commissions within policies to identify gaps and address needs effectively.

 
Funding
There is no funding support.
 
Authors’ Contribution
Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved the content of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work declaration of competing interest none.
 
Conflict of Interest
Authors declared no conflict of interest.
 
Acknowledgments
 We are grateful to all the scientific consultants of this paper.