The pathology of housing policies in Iran: a criterion-based analysis

Abstract

Purpose

Housing policy is a key tool in urban development and has multiple functions that directly affect human welfare. This study aims to review housing policies in Iran from a critical perspective. In fact, the study and pathology of housing policies are considered in this research.

Design/methodology/approach

To advance this research, a quantitative (fuzzy TOPSIS and fuzzy AHP) method was used to rank the policies and the qualitative method (interview and literature review) was used for the pathology of housing policies.

Findings

The failure of policies to provide housing in Iran is decisive, but social housing policy has a relative superiority to other policies. Causes of failure of Iranian housing policies are as follows in a pathological perspective: commodification and speculative approach to housing; lake of social and physical sustainability; social stratification and classification; inconsistency with environmental conditions; non-indigenous nature of housing policies; exclusion of local institutions in the decision-making process; and the dominance of a populist perspective on housing.

Originality/value

This study is a comprehensive study because it has been extracted from the dissertation. By reading this study, the reader will be aware of the general conditions of the Iranian housing sector.

Citation

Zarghamfard, M., Meshkini, A., Pourahmad, A. and Murgante, B. (2019), "The pathology of housing policies in Iran: a criterion-based analysis", International Journal of Housing Markets and Analysis, Vol. 13 No. 3, pp. 453-473. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHMA-06-2019-0066