Problem Statement :

The interplay of centrifugal forces, propelling population divergence, and centripetal forces, propelling population convergence, in metropolitan regions tends to result in residential mobility. Considering the hierarchy of cities in Iran and the role of the city of Tehran in the country [1], the conflict between two forces has specially affected the population dynamics of Tehran metropolitan region [2], bringing about many spatial consequences for the region as well. The growth of the city of Tehran, new developments occurred in varying distances from this city, structural changes specifically in rural areas, widespread land-use changes in the region specially in environmentally advantageous ones, are some examples of the changes that this metropolitan region has gone through during the last 30 to 40 years. Since the formation of Tehran metropolitan region, a number of plans have been prepared to guide and balance the evolution of the region. Comparing this plans with what has been realized in reality proves that the spatial evolution of the region has not taken place in conformity with the plans. Recognizing the factors and forces guiding the mobility and spatial changes in the region can be useful in effective planning of it, a trait which does not have much resonance in the current approach to planning in Iran. A new approach to understanding the changes in the region gain more importance when considering the new orientations in planning and human science which are gaining momentum due to the new dynamics of urban change caused by the use of information technology, globalization, economic change and etc. Therefore, acquiring an approach which accounts for the factors, forces, actors and relations that in actuality guide the evolution of the region, can be of great importance in moving towards regional equilibrium. Since residential mobility can affect (re)production of spatial inequalities, assessing the spatial consequences of current residential mobility trends in the region is useful as well. Achieving such an understanding can also be helpful when deciding about possible interventions in the region. This research aims to recognize and assess the forces and factors guiding residential mobility and evaluate the impact of this mobility on spatial inequalities. Generally these factors can be categorized into two types : factors related to the individual and household characteristics and the decision making process within this unit (mostly studied about in sociology and demographic studies) and the factors affecting this decision from the outside (policies and environment). The goal of this research is to study the second type of factors. These factors may stem from different scales (national, regional, local) or geographic arena (metropolis, metropolitan region or beyond). In a time when traditional notions of space and place and consequently other notions such as region, urban, rural and metropolitan region are being challenged, a deep engagement with the new perspectives on the context of new theories on how to view and understand the world as it is right now, provides a useful framework for developing a revitalized residential mobility research agenda which can grapple with new contexts, data and methods thus taking residential mobility research in the new directions suggested by the interplay of contextual change, analytical advances and theoretical innovation. Methodological study of residential mobility as one of the existing dynamics of Tehran metropolitan region provides a deeper understanding of the spatial evolution of the region and its trajectory towards more or less spatial inequalities which ultimately can be useful in achieving a more effective planning.

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