Tehran Enacts Construction Moratorium to Address Water Scarcity, Expands National Housing Initiatives
In a significant policy shift driven by water resource concerns, the Iranian government has announced a complete ban on the allocation of state-owned land for new residential construction in the capital, Tehran. The decision was detailed by Ali Nabiyan, Head of the National Organization for Land and Housing, during a press conference focused on land provision for the National Housing Movement project.
Addressing a Critical Resource Challenge
The primary catalyst for the moratorium is the critical shortage of water resources in the capital. This measure underscores the government’s strategic prioritization of sustainable resource management alongside its ambitious housing development goals. The ban applies specifically to the allocation of government-owned land within Tehran for new residential units.
Expanding the Land Bank for Housing
While curbing construction in the water-stressed capital, the government is aggressively pursuing land acquisition nationwide to fuel its housing projects. Mr. Nabiyan reported that over the past year, more than 1,155 hectares of new land have been identified for development. Furthermore, he outlined a scheduled plan to add 6,000 hectares to urban boundaries by the end of the current Iranian year, with 3,000 hectares already incorporated in the first six months.
Leveraging Legal Frameworks and Partnerships
The official highlighted the effective implementation of legal mechanisms, such as the “Law for a Leap in Housing Production,” which has facilitated the transfer of over 146,278 hectares of land from natural resources to the housing organization. Additional land has been secured through agreements with private entities and the armed forces, demonstrating a multi-faceted approach to land supply.
Progress on National Housing Projects
The press conference also served to update the public on several key housing initiatives across the country:
- Support for Large Families: Land deeds have been issued for more than 52,000 families with three or more children, with applications from over 1.1 million such families approved.
- Development in the Provinces: New town projects are currently underway in provinces including Qom, Fars, Alborz, and Yazd. Designs for 64 new towns have been completed, with 22 projects receiving final approval from the Supreme Council of Urban Planning.
- Strategic Island Development: On the island of Abu Musa, plans are advancing for the construction of 110 to 150 new residential units. An international competition has been held to select the design, with ground-breaking expected within the next two months.