Tehran exhibits a pronounced socio-spatial division, historically characterized by an affluent north and an impoverished south. Recent spatial transformations have resulted in greater fragmentation rather than integration. Globally, urban governance establishes institutions to mitigate such disparities, but a critical, under-investigated dimension is the impact of their physical location on spatial equilibrium.

This study investigates the role of state managerial institutions in reinforcing Tehran's entrenched north-south spatial divide. Analyzing data from 1996 to 2021, it examines the spatial correlation between the locations of 21 key institutions and indicators of urban inequality (land value, renovation permits, dilapidated areas).

Using GIS-based Mean Center and Spatial Overlay analyses, the research finds a strong, persistent centralization of institutions in affluent northern districts. This pattern aligns closely with zones of high investment and low urban decay.

The core conclusion is that the geography of state power in Tehran has not mitigated but has likely exacerbated spatial segregation by co-locating with economic privilege, thus reinforcing a cycle of socio-spatial inequality. The study critically highlights how urban governance patterns can actively shape metropolitan disparity.