Socio-Economic Pathology of New Towns Toward Social Sustainability(Case Study: Andisheh New Town)

جغرافیاوتوسعه ناحیه ای

Article 4, Volume 23, Issue 2 - Serial Number 51, September 2025, Pages 83-121   

Document Type: Research Article

DOI: 10.22067/jgrd.2024.91017.1499

Authors

Seyed Amir Chavoshi¹; Nasser Eghbali^{* 2}; Azita Rajabi³

¹Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

²Professor, Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

³Associate Professor, Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Socio-economic damages in new towns create significant challenges for achieving social sustainability. New towns, which are constructed to reduce population pressure and urban issues around metropolitan areas, often face problems such as economic inequality, poverty, dissatisfaction with quality of life, lack of recreational and welfare facilities, environmental pollution, and weak social cohesion. The new town of Andisheh is no exception; due to its proximity to Tehran metropolis and the influx of surplus population, it suffers from considerable economic and social pressures. The purpose of this study is to analyze the socio-economic challenges of new towns with an emphasis on the social sustainability of Andisheh New Town. The research is applied in purpose and descriptive-analytical in nature, conducted through both documentary review and field study. The statistical population includes residents of Andisheh, and data were collected through a questionnaire. Using Cochran’s formula, a sample size of 384 was estimated, which was increased to 450 to enhance the reliability of the study. Based on the results obtained from the two-stage Delphi method, several indicators of social sustainability in Andisheh New Town were identified and prioritized. In the first Delphi stage, experts proposed a list of potential indicators, which, after consolidation and elimination of overlaps, were reviewed and rated in the second stage. Experts believed that challenges related to reduced social capital and cohesion, security, and citizen participation are among the most critical barriers to social sustainability. Residents, meanwhile, considered issues such as access to urban services, quality of living environment, and availability of public spaces as the main challenges to urban sustainability. Overall, the perspectives of experts and residents differed to some extent, and their priorities diverged, which may stem from their differing experiences and interests.

Keywords

Socio-economic pathology; New towns; Andisheh New Town

References