Urban Economics and Planning

Urban Economics and Planning

Elucidating construction control mechanisms and their relationship with quality of life: a qualitative study in District 3 of Tehran

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 Ph. D. Candidate, Department of Urbanism, ShQ. C., Islamic Azad University, Shahr-e Qods, Iran.
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Urbanism, ShQ. C., Islamic Azad University, Shahr-e Qods, Iran.
Abstract
This study aims to elucidate the systematic relationship between construction control mechanisms and quality of life in Tehran’s District 3. The core issue centres on the inefficiency of the existing control system as a multidimensional systemic challenge arising from the interaction of three factors: unstable governance, technical supervision deficiencies, and conflicting economic incentives. The research methodology was designed based on a mixed-methods approach (qualitative-quantitative) and case study, utilizing semi-structured interviews with 30 specialized experts selected through purposive sampling and theoretical saturation. Data analysis was conducted through three-stage coding (open, axial, and selective) using MAXQDA software, with reliability confirmed by a Cohen’s Kappa coefficient of 0.67. From the quantitative perspective, the extraction of 76 initial codes and 18 core categories led to the formation of 7 final thematic dimensions encompassing governance, supervision, physical structure, environmental quality, economic factors, social security, and building safety. The findings reveal that the primary challenges concentrate on urban governance (29%) and regulatory frameworks (20%), with a high correlation observed between governance and supervision (0.88). Qualitative analyses further indicate that lack of transparency, institutional misalignment, and reliance on unstable density-based revenues have created a vicious cycle of construction violations and diminished quality of life. Significant path coefficients based on structural equation modeling demonstrate strong effects of information transparency (β=0.81) and mid-level governance (β=0.72) on the control system. Additionally, land speculation (β=0.76) and construction quality and safety (β=0.71) were identified as determining factors in urban quality of life. At the policy level, integrated solutions are proposed, including the establishment of a unified digital platform (single window system), the transformation of regulations into performance-based indicators, and the development of sustainable financial instruments. The implementation of a regional pilot project using a stepped-wedge design, along with the development of performance monitoring indicators, is recommended as an operational strategy to achieve the research objectives.
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Volume 7, Issue 5
August 2026
Pages 132-157

  • Receive Date 14 October 2025
  • Revise Date 17 November 2025
  • Accept Date 20 November 2025