Geography and Urban Research

A Legal Analysis of the Implementation of Note 3 of Article 101 of the Iranian Municipal Law: A Comparative Study with Turkish Urban Planning Law

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Ata Zarafshan

a. Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, University of Payamenour, Tehran, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22130/gur.2025.2059930.1023
Abstract
Note 3 of Article 101 of Iran’s Municipal Law, amended in 2011, authorizes municipalities to receive a portion of land (or its monetary equivalent) from owners of plots larger than 500 square meters during land subdivision processes, for public services and infrastructure. Despite its intended public benefit, the practical application of this provision has raised serious legal and equity concerns. These include the collection of shares from plots smaller than 500 square meters, reliance on informal and illegal subdivisions, disregard for previously allocated public spaces, and the imposition of forced agreements on landowners. This study, through a descriptive-analytical method and a comparative legal analysis with Turkey’s urban planning system (İmar Kanunu), critically evaluates the legality and fairness of current municipal practices in Iran. The findings reveal that the Iranian implementation often exceeds the legal limits, infringes upon private property rights, and lacks transparency and judicial oversight. In contrast, Turkey’s legal framework offers a clearer, more regulated, and equitable approach to urban land readjustment. The article concludes by emphasizing the need for regulatory reform in Iran to align its practices with legal standards and the principles of public trust and justice.

Keywords

Article 101
Municipal Law
Iran
Turkey
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Geography and Urban Research
Volume 2, Issue 2
Summer 2025
Pages 48-59

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