مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رسانی علوم و فناوری مطالعات شهر ایرانی-اسلامی 2228-639X 16 60 2026 2 3 Sustainable Financing for the Development of the Islamic City with an Emphasis on Tehran تبیین تأمین مالی پایدار توسعۀ شهر اسلامی با تأکید بر شهر تهران 45 68 fa ابراهیم جمشیدزاده دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی پویان شهابیان دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی واحد تهران مرکز، تهران، ایران حسین کلانتری خلیل آباد جهاددانشگاهی 2025 8 17 Sustainable Financing for the Development of the Islamic City with an Emphasis on Tehran<a href="#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1">[1]</a>   Ebrahim Jamshidzadeh <a href="#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2">*</a> Pooyan Shahabian<a href="#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3">**</a> Hossein Kalantari Khalilabad<a href="#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4">***</a> Urban development within Islamic financial systems requires financing mechanisms that align with value-based, justice-oriented, and participatory principles. Accordingly, the present study aims to design a financing model for the development of an Islamic city, with a specific focus on the metropolis of Tehran. Due to the complexity of the subject, a mixed-methods (quantitative–qualitative) approach was adopted. In the qualitative phase, grounded theory was used to analyze data obtained from semi-structured interviews with 14 experts in urban finance, urban management, and economics, through which the key components of the conceptual model were extracted. To empirically assess the relationships among the components, a quantitative phase using a structured questionnaire was conducted. Sampling in the quantitative phase was carried out through stratified random sampling among 15 experts and managers involved in urban financing. The data were analyzed using statistical tests such as Cronbach’s alpha, normality tests, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and multiple regression. The qualitative findings indicated that five core components—public participation, urban financing, Islamic financial instruments (such as sukuk, waqf, zakat, and qard al-hasan), Islamic-based legal policymaking, and sustainable urban development as the dependent variable with financing as the independent variable—form the structure of the final model. Quantitative analyses confirmed the significance of these components and showed that public participation has the strongest influence on urban development. These findings, in line with the theoretical literature, highlight the necessity of establishing operational frameworks that are compatible with Islamic, participatory, and accountable financial systems in urban financing structures. Ultimately, based on the findings, several recommendations were presented for reforming Tehran’s urban financing system, including the development of innovative Islamic financial tools for urban projects, enhancing transparency in public spending, and strengthening citizens’ participatory roles in development processes. This model can serve as an effective step toward achieving sustainable, equitable, and Islamic-oriented urban development in Iran’s urban governance system.   Keywords: Urban financing, Islamic city development, Islamic financial instruments, public participation. Introduction The rapid growth of urban populations and the increasing economic, social, and environmental demands of cities have intensified the need for sustainable financial resources to support infrastructure development and urban services (Jamarasi et al., 2022: 225). Meanwhile, the concept of the “Islamic city,” as both a theoretical and practical framework for urban design and development, is grounded in Islamic teachings and values. With its emphasis on social justice, public participation, environmental preservation, and cultural–religious identity, the Islamic city presents a distinct approach to urban development.Within this framework, sustainable urban development financing must also be based on Islamic principles to ensure not only support for long-term growth, but also the promotion of justice and transparency. Instability in municipal revenues and the limited use of diverse financing resources aligned with Islamic principles have contributed to slow development and spatial and economic inequalities. Therefore, analyzing financing models that emphasize Islamic-city principles can provide solutions for many challenges facing Tehran and offer a practical model for other Islamic cities, particularly in Iran.Given the significance of this topic, the present study aims to analyze sustainable financing for the development of the Islamic city with an emphasis on Tehran. The research seeks to identify challenges within Tehran’s urban financing system and propose strategies based on Islamic financial principles and teachings. Accordingly, the main research question is formulated as follows: What are the financing strategies for the development of the Islamic city? To answer this, a mixed (qualitative-quantitative) methodology was employed, integrating statistical analysis with grounded theory insights from expert opinions.   Methodology This study applies a mixed-methods approach to analyze and explain sustainable financing for the development of the Islamic city with an emphasis on Tehran. The integration of qualitative and quantitative methods enables a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon under investigation.The quantitative component examines numerical and statistical data related to financing sources and mechanisms for urban development. The qualitative component analyzes deeper conceptual dimensions, theoretical foundations, and stakeholder experiences through semi-structured interviews.Quantitative data were analyzed using statistical software such as SPSS, employing descriptive and inferential tests including trend analysis, correlation analysis, and statistical modeling to identify key factors influencing urban development financing.Qualitative data were analyzed using grounded theory. Open coding was applied to extract primary concepts, axial coding identified relationships among concepts, and selective coding formed the final categories and indigenous theory. Software tools such as MAXQDA supported this phase.In the final step, the results from both qualitative and quantitative analyses were integrated to develop a comprehensive understanding of financing mechanisms for Islamic-city development.   Results The results of the qualitative and quantitative analyses led to the identification and confirmation of components that can serve as an effective model for sustainable financing in the development of the Islamic city, particularly in a metropolis such as Tehran.The qualitative findings revealed that components such as public participation in urban financing, the use of Islamic financial instruments (e.g., sukuk, participation bonds, and waqf), a transparent and efficient financial management system, and a legal-policy framework aligned with Islamic principles constitute the four main pillars of the proposed model.The quantitative findings strongly indicated that an Islamic-based urban financing structure—especially through public participation, Islamic financial instruments, reformed financial management, and strengthened legal systems—plays a central role in achieving sustainable development in the Islamic city. These results not only validate the qualitative findings but also empirically reinforce the theoretical framework.   Discussion and Conclusion The present study sought to design a sustainable financing model for the development of the Islamic city, with a particular focus on Tehran, using a mixed methodology (qualitative grounded theory and quantitative regression analysis). Multiple regression results showed that the most influential variable is public participation, which demonstrated the highest beta coefficient among the variables affecting sustainable development. This finding is consistent with Al-Sharif et al. (2022), who emphasize citizen-centered approaches in the Islamic urban economy.Based on qualitative (interview analysis) and quantitative (statistical) evidence, the final model is grounded in five key dimensions: <ol style="text-align: left;"> <li>Public participation</li> <li>Urban financial management</li> <li>Islamic financial instruments (as independent variables)</li> <li>Legal and policy frameworks</li> <li>Sustainable development of the Islamic city (as the dependent variable)</li> </ol> The relationships among these components were confirmed both theoretically and empirically, indicating that a sustainable financing system in an Islamic city must be based on justice, transparency, religious legitimacy, and civic responsibility.   Reference Baharifar, H; Shahrabi, M; & Jalal, M. (2015). Small and Medium Enterprise Financing Model, Collective Financing: Concepts, Models and Legislative Considerations. 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This article is derived from the first author’s doctoral dissertation entitled “Designing and Formulating a Sustainable Financing Model for Urban Development in Iran with an Emphasis on the City of Tehran,” completed under the supervision of the second. <a href="#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2">*</a> Ph.D. Student in Urban Planning, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. Ebrahim.jamshidzadeh@iau.ir  https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8225-1310 <a href="#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3">** </a>Associate Professor, Department of Urban Planning, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. shahabian@iau.ac.ir https://orcid.org/ 0000-0003-2778-6982 <a href="#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4">***</a> Full Professor, Research Institute for Humanities and Social Studies, ACECR, and Department of Architecture, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran. h_kalantari2005@yahoo.com https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5262-8065 توسعۀ شهری در نظام&zwnj;های مالی اسلامی مستلزم هم&zwnj;سویی سازوکارهای تأمین مالی با مبانی ارزشی، عدالت&zwnj;محور و مشارکت&zwnj;جویانه است. در این راستا، پژوهش حاضر با هدف طراحی مدل تأمین مالی توسعه شهر اسلامی با تأکید بر کلان&zwnj;شهر تهران انجام &zwnj;گرفته است. با توجه &zwnj;به ماهیت پیچیدۀ موضوع، از رویکرد ترکیبی (کمّی - کیفی) بهره گرفته شد. در بخش کیفی، با استفاده از روش نظریۀ داده&zwnj;بنیاد، اطلاعات حاصل از مصاحبه&zwnj;های نیمه&zwnj;ساختاریافته با ۱۴ نفر از خبرگان حوزه&zwnj;های تأمین مالی، مدیریت شهری و اقتصادی تحلیل شد و مؤلفه&zwnj;های کلیدی مدل مفهومی استخراج گردید. برای ارزیابی تجربی روابط بین مؤلفه&zwnj;ها، از روش کمّی و ابزار پرسش&zwnj;نامه استفاده شد. نمونه&zwnj;گیری در بخش کمّی به روش تصادفی طبقه&zwnj;ای از بین 15 نفر از کارشناسان و مدیران مرتبط با حوزه تأمین مالی شهری صورت گرفت و داده&zwnj;ها با استفاده از آزمون&zwnj;های آماری مانند آلفای کرونباخ، آزمون نرمال بودن، تحلیل عاملی اکتشافی (EFA) و رگرسیون چندگانه بررسی شد. یافته&zwnj;های کیفی بیانگر آن بود که پنج مؤلفۀ اصلی شامل مشارکت مردمی، تأمین مالی شهری، ابزار مالی اسلامی (نظیر صکوک، وقف، زکات و قرض&zwnj;الحسنه)، سیاست&zwnj;گذاری قانونی منطبق با اصول اسلامی و توسعه پایدار شهری به&zwnj; عنوان متغیر وابسته و تأمین مالی در نقش متغیر مستقل، ساختار مدل نهایی را شکل می&zwnj;دهند. تحلیل&zwnj;های کمّی نیز ضمن تأیید معناداری این مؤلفه&zwnj;ها نشان داد که مشارکت مردمی، بیشترین اثرگذاری را بر توسعۀ شهری دارد. این یافته&zwnj;ها در تعامل با ادبیات نظری، بر لزوم ایجاد چارچوب&zwnj;های اجرایی منطبق با نظام مالی اسلامی، مشارکت&zwnj;پذیر و پاسخگو در ساختار تأمین مالی شهری تأکید دارند. در پایان با توجه به یافته&zwnj;ها، پیشنهادهایی در راستای اصلاح نظام تأمین مالی شهر تهران ارائه شد. نتایج این مطالعه در دو بخش تحلیل کیفی و کمّی، به کشف و تأیید مؤلفه&zwnj;هایی انجامید که می&zwnj;توانند الگویی اثربخش برای تأمین مالی پایدار توسعۀ شهر اسلامی به&zwnj;ویژه در کلان&zwnj;شهری چون تهران فراهم سازد.

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