Iran is currently going through high urban growth rates, mainly resulting from internal migration from rural areas (Rural-to-Urban). The migration is caused by low or no investment in rural areas, and the Iran-Iraq war, when millions of IDPs (internationally displaced people) fled to the cities and large towns. In 2018, about 75% of the population were living in these urban areas (graph below)
Pro's and Con's
There are many positive and negative affects of urbanization. Some positive affects are that people that go to urban areas can create a better life because of things like employment opportunities, modernization, and access. Some problems that come with urbanization are congestion, poverty, and environmental hazards.
Challenges of Urban Sustainability
Iran has had one main challenge, climate change. Iran is expected to experience an increase of mean temperatures by 2.6 °C and a decrease in precipitation by 35% over the next decade. The total greenhouse gas emissions release around 616,741 million tons of CO2. Iran is also most responsible for climate change in the Middle East. Because of this, Iran has created a plan to cut CO2 emissions called the National Strategic Plan on Climate Change. The Financial Tribune states, "all relevant organizations have devised 15-year plans based on which they must reduce their greenhouse gas emissions".