Pezeshkian underscores domestic potential for smart urban management
President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that the necessary potential for smart urban management exists today, and Tehran must not be allowed to face further problems due to poor decision-making.
He emphasized that the resources, expertise, and skilled workforce are available, and these capacities should be utilized to transform Tehran into a modern and sustainable city.
Speaking at a the meeting of the Planning and Development Council of Tehran Province on Saturday, Pezeshkian noted that while Tehran faces numerous threats, it also holds significant opportunities.
He highlighted the city’s role as the nation’s capital, home to major universities, experienced industrialists, and key governmental institutions, including the Parliament, government, and Judiciary.
The president stressed that with serious determination, the country could face fewer challenges, but current management issues in Tehran are unacceptable.
Pezeshkian pointed out the lack of educational facilities in some areas of Tehran, citing reports that indicate a need for 105 schools in the city of Shahr-e Qods, while only 35 are planned.
This significant gap, he said, reflects a serious shortage of educational infrastructure, emphasizing that education is a fundamental need and must be prioritized, with new housing developments required to provide adequate educational spaces.
He warned against repurposing these spaces and expecting educational problems to resolve themselves.
The president underscored the importance of adhering to urban development principles, noting that every city allocates space for education, health, and medical services in its development plans.
Repurposing these spaces, he said, would have irreversible consequences. He warned that the future of the country depends on the younger generation, and insufficient educational spaces today would lead to social repercussions tomorrow.
Empowering education via investment
Pezeshkian emphasized the need for investment in education, stating that many social problems could be resolved through education and creating a suitable environment for nurturing the next generation. If this path is followed correctly today, he said, there would be no need for late interventions in the future.
He called for community involvement in addressing educational shortages, urging residents, officials, and relevant institutions to come together and advocate for solutions. He noted that many factories and industries in Tehran have social responsibilities and can play a role in addressing these challenges.
The president expressed concern that 90% of the country’s elites consider leaving Iran, attributing this to flaws in the educational system. He stressed the need to foster a sense of belonging to the country, culture, and society among students.
Pezeshkian highlighted the role of universities in solving the country’s problems, noting that Tehran’s major universities in economics, engineering, social sciences, and other fields can provide practical solutions.
He criticized the underutilization of academic expertise in addressing challenges, emphasizing that shortages and issues can be resolved with the help of experts.
He rejected a directive approach to solving national problems, urging universities to take responsibility and step forward. He also called for greater coordination between scientific and executive institutions to address challenges.
On transportation, Pezeshkian emphasized the need to optimize infrastructure and improve intercity coordination. He noted that Tehran’s rail network connects to various parts of the country, and this capacity should be utilized effectively.
He stressed that creating a cohesive transportation network between Tehran and other cities is not a complex task and requires coordination between municipal and provincial management.
The president highlighted Tehran’s economic and human resources, stating that the city has sufficient financial resources, skilled manpower, and extensive economic opportunities. He saw no reason for significant obstacles in addressing infrastructure issues in the capital.
Pezeshkian reiterated the importance of leveraging academic capacities, not just in Tehran but nationwide, to solve challenges in other cities as well.
He emphasized the need for collaboration among officials and executive bodies to address transportation and other urban challenges.
Pezeshkian noted that Tehran occupies less than 1% of the country’s area but houses over 20% of Iran’s population. If resources and consumption are not managed properly, significant urban management issues will arise. He emphasized that the main issue is not relocating the capital but managing resources correctly. He warned that the imbalance between resources and consumption is a form of divine punishment, as resources have not been utilized properly and have often been overused.
The president called on elites and managers to address Tehran’s crises, stating that all the country’s experts, specialists, and senior managers are concentrated in Tehran. He emphasized that understanding the problems is not enough; planning and determination to implement solutions are essential.
Curbing migratiion to capital
Pezeshkian stressed the need to control migration to Tehran, as the city can no longer accommodate large-scale migration. Uncontrolled construction has led to the need for demolition orders, which could have been prevented. He reiterated that with the potential for smart city management, Tehran must not be allowed to face greater problems due to poor decisions. The resources, expertise, and skilled workforce are available and must be used to transform Tehran into a modern, sustainable city.
The president emphasized the importance of recognizing problems and planning scientifically to solve them. He noted that the best managers, specialists, and resources are concentrated in Tehran, but other cities have not provided growth opportunities for elites nurtured by the country. He stressed that these elites and managers must solve their own problems before addressing national issues.
He emphasized the need for practical solutions to education and health issues, calling for cooperation among provincial governments, municipalities, and city councils. He stressed that if the future of the country’s children is a priority, land for school construction must be allocated, and municipalities must play a key role in this process.
The president called for advocacy in education, urging education managers in each province to form advocacy teams and clearly state their needs. He emphasized that councils, the government, provincial administrations, and Parliament must work together to address these issues, ensuring that education quality is not compromised by a lack of space and resources.
Pezeshkian addressed imbalances in water, energy, and gas, stating that solving these problems requires scientific solutions, national unity, and determination. He emphasized that once a path is chosen, there should be no hesitation in its implementation.
The president highlighted the energy crisis, noting that imbalances in water, electricity, and gas are among the country’s most pressing challenges. Reports indicate that power shortages have temporarily shut down some industrial units, and without precise management, gas cuts would have been necessary in some regions during winter. Recent shutdowns were primarily due to air pollution, but energy shortages also played a role.
In conclusion, Pezeshkian outlined the government’s plan to increase the authority of governor generals, enabling them to address regional problems more effectively.