Urban Land Policies and Their Impact on the Development of Tabriz

Population growth and the desire for urbanization in recent decades have caused many challenges for countries, especially developing countries. Immigrations to big cities that are predominantly related to low-income groups are included, and lack of attention to meet their needs, have complicated urban challenges and, consequently, have expanded the development of informal settlements. Urban Land and housing policies in the metropolitans are the controlling factors of urban expansion and can also trigger urban challenges. Tabriz as one of the metropolitans in Iran faces with many challenges concerning the urban land and housing policies. In this study, the researchers analyze the role of urban land and housing policies on urban development of Tabriz. The research method is analytical and the data are obtained from municipalities, consulting engineers and Roads and Urban Planning Organization. The results of the study showed that in the past decade, the development policies and periphery land use changes to urban development, not only has increased the development costs and supply of municipal facilities, but also the unsuitable policies, destruction of gardens and agriculture. Development of Tabriz to the east and north east which mainly include gardens and agricultural lands has confirmed this process.  Assessment of the Tabriz Statement Number 5 Commission in the development of residential towns in east area is another reason for the role of urban management and decision-makers in Tabriz. The evaluation of the present study showed that in Tabriz development, the policy of land and housing has not been appropriate and unplanned development or emphasis on the development approach of the suburban areas have all led to challenges for the city and has caused the future development of this city to be difficult.