Analyzing the legal frameworks of planning for diversity and difference in Iran with emphasize on the approvals of the municipality and the Islamic Council of Tehran

Society today is made up of diverse individuals of varying ages, sexes, ethno-racial backgrounds and physical abilities. Gender, race, disability and age are at the root of much discrimination in societies. Planning for diversity is an approach which takes into account the needs of different groups of people. Planning operates within a legislative framework which sets requirements for fair treatment. It is necessary to pass and amend an extensive body of legislation to address the discrimination experienced by certain groups. The purpose of this study is to analyze the legal frameworks of planning for diversity and difference in Iran with emphasize on the approvals of the municipality and the Islamic Council of Tehran. This study in terms of methodology is a descriptive-analytical study. Using the content analysis method and coding process in MAXQDA software, the Constitution, national development plans laws, the Islamic Consultative Assembly’s approvals, government executive regulations, the Supreme Council of Urban Planning’s approvals and approvals of the municipality and the Islamic Council of Tehran are analyzed in terms of addressing the needs of diverse social groups. The results of analyzing legislative documents show that the needs of children, old persons and women and duties of the executive bodies are not addressed by the Supreme Council of Urban Planning. At the local level, Tehran has addressed the needs of the disabled, children and partly the elderly in its approvals, but women have been neglected.