A Reinterpretation of the Comprehensive Plan of Parand New Town from Henri Lefebvre Right to the City Perspective

Abstract
New towns have been developed as an urban planning strategy since the early 1990s to reduce pressure on metropolitan cities and accommodate growing populations. However, the design and implementation of these towns have often faced challenges related to social and spatial justice. Parand New Town, as a significant example, exhibits issues in the distribution of services, infrastructure quality, and equitable access to urban amenities. This study critically examines the master plan of Parand through the lens of Henri Lefebvre’s Right to the City theory. The central research question focuses on analyzing spatial justice in resource allocation, infrastructure quality, and citizen participation in urban planning processes. Adopting a descriptive-analytical approach, the study employs qualitative methods for data analysis. The findings indicate a significant gap between urban planning strategies and residents’ needs, exacerbating spatial inequalities. Finally, based on Lefebvre’s theoretical framework, recommendations are proposed to reinforce a justice-oriented approach in the development of Parand New Town. 
Keywords: Social Justice, Spatial Justice, Right to The City, Urban Development, Parand New Town.
 
1. Introduction
New towns have emerged as a response to the growing challenges of urbanization, aiming to redistribute population density and enhance regional development. However, while such projects promise sustainable growth, they often fall short in addressing social justice concerns. Parand New Town, as one of Iran’s major planned urban developments, serves as a critical case for examining how spatial justice is incorporated into urban planning. This study utilizes Henri Lefebvre’s Right to the City framework to assess whether Parand’s master plan ensures equitable access to urban resources and opportunities for all residents.
The investigation explores disparities in service provision, infrastructural quality, and socio-spatial inclusion. Despite its strategic vision, Parand has encountered several planning and implementation challenges, leading to the persistence of social inequalities. Many urban policies prioritize economic development over social equity, which has led to fragmented urban expansion and the marginalization of lower-income groups. The issue of spatial justice extends beyond simple service distribution; it also encompasses residents’ rights to participate in decision-making processes that affect their everyday lives.
As urbanization intensifies across the globe, the necessity of justice-centered planning frameworks becomes increasingly apparent. Social and spatial disparities are not only a consequence of economic inequality but are often reinforced by urban policies that fail to incorporate marginalized voices. In this context, the study of Parand provides a critical lens to analyze the gaps between top-down planning visions and bottom-up lived experiences.
This study argues that a justice-oriented planning approach is necessary for sustainable urban development. By integrating Lefebvre’s theoretical lens, this research contributes to ongoing debates on justice-oriented urban development and provides recommendations for future policy reforms. Through a detailed assessment of Parand’s comprehensive plan, this study sheds light on the underlying mechanisms that reinforce urban inequalities and offers a roadmap for more inclusive development strategies.
 
2. Materials and Methods
This study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining documentary analysis, field observations, and qualitative interviews to comprehensively examine spatial justice in Parand. The documentary analysis includes official government reports, academic studies, and urban planning documents that outline the town’s developmental trajectory. Field observations were conducted to assess the physical and social landscape, focusing on accessibility, infrastructure quality, and service distribution. Additionally, semi-structured interviews were carried out with 24 Parand residents, including long-term inhabitants, urban planners, and policymakers.
These interviews provided rich qualitative data on residents’ lived experiences and perceptions of urban justice. Data were analyzed thematically, highlighting recurring patterns of exclusion, service deficiencies, and community needs. By employing qualitative coding techniques, this study identifies key themes regarding urban planning failures and governance gaps, shedding light on the limitations of top-down development strategies. The study also incorporates a comparative approach, drawing insights from other planned towns that have successfully implemented participatory planning frameworks.
A significant portion of the research also examines the role of government agencies and private developers in shaping Parand’s urban fabric. The reliance on market-driven policies has often led to gentrification, pushing economically disadvantaged populations to the peripheries. In several neighborhoods, the promised public amenities remain underdeveloped or delayed, resulting in a clear mismatch between official planning discourse and practical outcomes.
To provide a holistic view, this study considers socioeconomic indicators such as income levels, employment rates, and housing affordability. Field data were triangulated with statistical sources and expert interviews, allowing for a multi-dimensional analysis. The findings offer a comprehensive perspective on how justice-oriented policies can contribute to a more equitable urban environment, while also identifying institutional and political barriers to implementation.
 
3. Discussion
The findings reveal a stark contrast between Parand’s theoretical urban development objectives and its practical execution. While the town was originally designed to offer affordable housing and economic opportunities, the reality presents significant shortcomings in infrastructure, social cohesion, and urban governance. Many residents struggle with inadequate transportation networks, limited healthcare facilities, and uneven access to public amenities. These deficiencies disproportionately affect lower-income and marginalized groups, exacerbating socio-spatial inequalities.
Lefebvre’s concepts of the right to presence and the right to appropriation underscore the necessity of participatory urban governance, which is largely absent in Parand. Despite planning documents that emphasize balanced development, the voices of residents—especially those in lower-income or peripheral districts—have largely been excluded from planning and decision-making. In interviews, many residents expressed a strong sense of alienation from the urban policies that shape their everyday environments.
The study further highlights how market-driven urban policies have prioritized economic interests over social welfare, reinforcing patterns of exclusion. Construction of high-end housing compounds, for instance, has often diverted resources from public infrastructure projects. A shift towards a participatory and redistributive planning model is necessary to mitigate these injustices and ensure a more inclusive urban environment. Comparative case studies of other new towns reveal that successful models integrate community engagement and adaptive policy measures to enhance urban equity.
Moreover, the research finds that certain demographic groups, such as low-income families, informal workers, and recent migrants, face heightened barriers to accessing quality housing and services. Many residents cited a lack of cultural and recreational amenities, insufficient school capacity, and long commutes to Tehran due to poor transit options.
The absence of institutional mechanisms for citizen participation in decision-making has resulted in policies that fail to reflect the needs of the broader community. Without structural changes in urban governance, Parand risks perpetuating cycles of exclusion and underdevelopment. In addition, the lack of local governance capacity—such as empowered neighborhood councils—limits accountability and responsiveness, further alienating residents.
Policymakers must prioritize policies that promote spatial justice through equitable service allocation and grassroots engagement. This requires not only revising the comprehensive plan to reflect local needs but also building platforms for civic dialogue and participatory budgeting. A rights-based framework must inform planning processes from inception to implementation.
 
4. Conclusion
The case of Parand New Town exemplifies the critical gaps in justice-oriented urban planning. Despite its strategic intent, the town’s comprehensive plan has failed to equitably distribute resources and integrate participatory governance structures. The lack of inclusive policymaking has led to persistent inequalities, leaving vulnerable populations without essential services and infrastructure.
To address these challenges, this study advocates for a multi-faceted approach that includes greater civic engagement, enhanced public service provision, and regulatory reforms to prioritize social equity. A deeper integration of participatory mechanisms within the planning process is essential for restoring public trust and fostering a sense of ownership among residents. Policies should be guided not only by economic feasibility but also by social need and ethical responsibility.
Policymakers must adopt a justice-based urban planning paradigm to align development strategies with the fundamental rights of all city dwellers. This includes integrating spatial justice metrics into urban assessments, rethinking the allocation of land and infrastructure investment, and ensuring meaningful public participation throughout the policy cycle.
Future research should explore comparative analyses of new towns with successful equity-based planning to derive best practices for more sustainable and just urban developments. The incorporation of participatory governance mechanisms, transparent decision-making, and community-driven initiatives can contribute to more resilient and inclusive urban development models. Additionally, urban planners and decision-makers must ensure that housing policies do not exacerbate economic segregation but rather foster mixed-income neighborhoods and social cohesion.
A major takeaway from this research is that urban planning should not merely focus on physical infrastructure but also on fostering social integration. Parand’s experience serves as a cautionary tale, illustrating the consequences of neglecting spatial justice in urban development. Moving forward, policymakers should establish frameworks that allow for community participation, ensuring that residents have a direct role in shaping the future of their city. Such an approach will not only enhance urban equity but also strengthen the overall sustainability of new town developments.