Karaj aims to turn Moradab Hill into tourist hub
Moradab Hill has the potential to become one of Karaj’s leading tourism and recreational destinations, provided its infrastructure is upgraded, deteriorating neighborhoods are renovated and its cultural and artistic potential is fully harnessed, a Karaj City Council official has said.
Alireza Rahimi Mahmoudabadi, head of the council’s Urban Development and Transportation Commission, described the area as a “rough diamond” with considerable untapped potential.
Speaking to ISNA, he said the Islamabad neighbourhood was of particular importance to urban planners because of its geographical location and natural assets. Several development projects have been launched in recent years to improve living conditions and upgrade local infrastructure, he added.
The projects include the construction of a 30-meter-wide ring road, the acquisition and clearance of land above the 1,400-meter contour line, the renovation of old stairways, the creation of neighbourhood gathering spaces, improvements to Danayei Park, and road resurfacing and rehabilitation.
Rahimi Mahmoudabadi said Islamabad could eventually emerge as a major recreational and tourism hub in Karaj.
He pointed to the establishment of the Moradab Hill Development and Construction Company as an important step towards revitalizing the area. The company is tasked with improving deteriorating urban neighborhoods, upgrading living conditions and expanding access to public services.
Allocating dedicated development funds in the budget for Municipal District 1 could further accelerate the implementation of these projects, he said.
Rahimi Mahmoudabadi also said the municipality had begun construction of Shahid Mostafaei Terraced Park in District 6 of Islamabad, using funds approved by Karaj City Council and land acquired within the designated redevelopment zone.
The project is expected to expand the area’s green spaces and enhance its urban landscape. Once completed and further developed, the park could also provide facilities for recreational, sporting and tourism activities.
Referring to the park’s potential to accommodate national and religious sculptures and artistic installations, he stressed that Karaj Municipality should conduct the necessary assessments to ensure that the area’s cultural heritage and local identity are also fully reflected in the project.
Highlighting the neighborhood’s natural and architectural assets, the council member said the park’s distinctive topography, prominent location and local stone formations offered an opportunity to create a unique recreational complex and tourist attraction.
He added that engaging artists, cultural and creative professionals, and skilled construction craftsmen could help give the area a distinctive identity.
Taking inspiration from Iran’s architectural heritage, including the historic village of Abyaneh, could also help transform the neighbourhood through the renovation and beautification of homes and the creation of attractive streets capable of drawing visitors, he said.
Describing Moradab Hill as one of Karaj’s most overlooked assets, Rahimi Mahmoudabadi said coordinated planning, infrastructure investment and greater attention to its cultural and artistic potential could turn it into one of the city’s leading recreational and tourism destinations.