Construction of Iran’s first private town gets underway
Iran’s Ministry of Roads and Urban Development has approved the feasibility study and site selection for the construction of Central Makran New Town in Hormozgan Province, which will be developed as the country’s first privately built new town, a senior official said on Monday.
Gholamreza Kazemian, Deputy Roads and Urban Development Minister, made the announcement at the conclusion of a meeting of Iran’s Supreme Council of Urban Planning and Architecture on Monday. He said the town will be built along the Oman Sea Coasts of Hormozgan and will rely entirely on domestic private-sector investment.
According to Kazemian, the project has a 20-year development horizon and will be implemented gradually. He explained that given that this marks Iran’s first experience with a privately developed new town, the plan has undergone heightened technical and institutional scrutiny. Construction will proceed in phases and will be closely aligned with the pace of job creation and population growth, with land allocation tied directly to demonstrated demand, he added.
A consortium of Iranian companies is participating in the project, with investors committing their own capital to finance and implement the development, Kazemian said.
Also speaking at the meeting, Minister of Roads and Urban Development Farzaneh Sadegh stressed that relevant authorities are expected to facilitate the project, while ensuring that environmental considerations and the livelihoods of local communities are fully taken into account during implementation.
Central Makran New Town is envisioned as an advanced port-based economic hub and one of Iran’s main commercial and transit gateways. It is expected to function as a major tourism destination and a multifunctional center along the Makran coast.
The city is also projected to meet housing demand, generate diverse employment opportunities, and attract skilled professionals, positioning it as a key regional center for innovative activities and startup development.
With plans to make extensive use of renewable energy and green infrastructure, Central Makran is expected to serve as a model for coastal ecosystem protection and environmentally friendly urban development.
By the 2046 horizon year, the city is expected to emerge as a leading example of next-generation, smart cities in Iran, driven by domestic and foreign investment and anchored in private-sector participation.
The city is also expected to foster a dynamic cultural identity by hosting national and international events and expanding public spaces, while simultaneously strengthening trade networks, scientific cooperation, and regional and international transit corridors.