Formation and growth of the Tehran urban complex and its impact on surrounding agricultural lands

By getting concentrated investments, human and monetary resources from other parts of the country, Tehran have grown into the biggest politico-economic center and decision-making site in Iran during the recent decades. Consequently, over time, it has started expanding into the neighbouring areas alongwith its population explosion and accumulation of economic activities. In this monopolizing, it took away the neighbouring villages, centers and agricultural lands under its construction domination, and built excessive amounts of new urban dwellings across fertile lands. As a result, Tehran actualized what can be known as the "Tehran Urban Complex" through a joint functional, communicative and human linking process. What is clear in this phenomenon is the environmental consequences due to the destruction of agricultural lands, fauna and flora. This research, a systematic study by using a descriptive-analytical method; addresses the reasons behind the agriculture section's decline which is due to urbanization and expansion of service and industrial activities across Tehran's geographical territory. The conclusion of this research is that the disorganized growth of new cities, lack of controlling policies and water shortage are the most significant reasons leading to unstable conditions of agricultural lands across this urban complex.