Analysis of the Effects of the new Arg Jadid Bam Special Economic Zone on the Physical Development of Human Settlements (Case Study: Bam District)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Master's student in Land Use Planning, Department of Human Geography and Planning, Faculty of Geography, University of Tehran, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Department of Human Geography and Planning, Faculty of Geography, University of Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Over the past two decades, the establishment of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Iran has been promoted as a strategy to accelerate industrialization, attract foreign direct investment, and improve employment indicators. Despite their rapid expansion, the spatial, social, and environmental impacts of these zones at the local level have received limited attention. This study aims to evaluate the multidimensional effects of the Arg‑e Jadid Bam Special Economic Zone on the physical and social transformations of surrounding settlements. The Arg‑e Jadid Special Economic Zone is located near Bam in Kerman Province, southeastern Iran, and is considered one of the country’s major industrial hubs. The concentration of industries, particularly in the automotive sector, has attracted labor migration and significantly influenced the spatial and demographic structure of nearby settlements. This research adopts a descriptive–analytical approach. Data were collected through field surveys and remote sensing techniques. A total of 220 questionnaires were completed by local residents (120) and non-local migrants (100). In addition, satellite images from 2007 and 2025 were analyzed to examine physical and land-use changes. The data were analyzed using a one-sample t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient. The findings show that in the social dimension, the level of place attachment among residents was above the theoretical average, while indicators such as social trust, hope for the future, and continuity of local traditions were below the average level. Economically, employment opportunities and small businesses have increased; however, rising land and housing prices have imposed financial pressure on households. Environmentally, declining water quality and weaknesses in waste and wastewater management were observed. Physically, rapid housing construction and reconstruction driven by increasing demand have placed pressure on local infrastructure. Overall, the Arg‑e Jadid Special Economic Zone has improved employment and investment indicators but has also created challenges related to social sustainability, environmental conditions, and the housing market. Integrating industrial development with comprehensive environmental management and improved land‑use planning is essential for achieving sustainable regional development.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

Aboli, Mohammad Reza; Chaharahi, Zabihollah; and Hosseini, Ali. (2026). The Role of Divergence of Bam Special Economic Zone in the Development of Eastern Kerman. Quarterly Journal of Sustainable Development of Geographical Environment, 8(16). (In Persian)doi:10.48308/sdge.2026.243343.1294.
Aboli, Mohammad Reza; Hosseini, Ali; and Mansourian, Hossein. (2026). Spatio‑Temporal Analysis of the Physical Transformations of Human Settlements in Relation to the Development of the Arg‑e Jadid Bam Special Economic Zone: A Case Study of Bam and Narmashir Counties. Journal of Economic Geography Research, 7(23), e733859. (In Persian)https://doi.org/10.30470/jegr.2026.2073683.1335 .
Adeoti, J. O., Popoola, O. A., & Afolabi, J. A. (2025). Special economic zone incentives, innovation and export performance of firms in Nigeria. International Journal of Innovation Science.https://doi.org/10.1108/IJIS-01-2025-0032
Alizadeh, T., Mazloom Khorasani, M., & Majdi, A. A. (2021). Investigating the social and economic impacts of industrial estates on rural areas: A case study of industrial estates in Urmia County. Rural Development Strategies, 8(4), 399–418. (In Persian)http://noo.rs/yR9Jy
Arg e Jadid Development Company. (2025). Introduction of industries and the Arg e Jadid Bam Special Economic Zone. Retrieved from. (In Persian)https://argejadid.ir
Chaharahi, Z., Aghamohammadlou, F., & Shamaradi Samani, R. (2024). Spatial modeling and analysis of poverty with a focus on spatial inequalities (Case study: Zanjan Province). Journal of Land Use Planning, 16(2), 285–301. (In Persian)https://doi.org/10.22059/jtcp.2025.388026.670489
Farole, T., & Moberg, L. (2022). Special economic zones in the 21st century: Policy lessons from global experience. World Bank.https://doi.org/10.1596/978-1-4648-1825-6
Ghasemi, A. (2017). Spatial effects of special economic zones on population centers with emphasis on the Pars Special Economic Zone (Asaluyeh). Mazandaran: ACECR Mazandaran Publications. (In Persian)http://noo.rs/fIPq2
González, M. C. B., Jandrić, M., Molnar, D., & Tanasković, S. (2024). The effects of internal migration on regional convergence: Evidence from Serbia. Papers in Regional Science, 103(6), 100062.https://doi.org/10.1215/00182702-9510270
Hosseini, A., & Ariankia, M. (2025). Drivers and scenarios for the development of territorial businesses in Iran: A futures-studies approach with emphasis on spatial planning. Spatial Planning, 15(1), 109–140. (In Persian)http://noo.rs/TV0aw
Hasani, M., Mikaeili Tabrizi, A., Salman Mahini, A., & Deliri, H. (2023). Identification of industrial clusters and determination of suitable areas for industrial development using multi criteria decision-making models in GIS environment (Case study: Gorgan, Gonbad e Kavus, and Aq Qala counties, Golestan Province). Environmental Research, 14(27), 285–304. (In Persian)https://doi.org/10.22034/eiap.2023.179866
Hejazi Negin, F., Fazel-Reza, F., & Vahida, F. (2014). Examining the impact of Asaluyeh development on quality of life (with an industrial growth approach). (In Persian)http://noo.rs/UnCHU
Hosseini, A., Zarei, B., Ahmadi, S. A., & Rostami, R. (2021). Explaining regional development with emphasis on employment in the marine economy: A case study of Bushehr Province. Geographical Spatial Planning Journal, 11(39), 129–152. (In Persian)https://doi.org/10.30488/gps.2020.203059.3108
Islamic Consultative Assembly Research Center. (2022). Economic reports and review of laws related to special economic zones. Tehran: Parliament Research Center. (In Persian)https://rc.majlis.ir/fa/report/search
Jaman, U. B. (2023). Legal analysis of the impact of industrial development on the environment. The Easta Journal of Law and Human Rights, 1(3), 87–92.https://doi.org/10.54216/EJLHR.1.3.87
Janků, J., Heřmanová, K., Kozák, J., Jehlička, J., Maitah, M., Němeček, K., & Herza, T. (2020). Industrial zones and their benefits for society.https://doi.org/10.17221/176/2019-SWR
Jote, G. G., & Worku, H. (2024). Analysis of environmental and socioeconomic impacts of industrial parks in Ethiopia. Heliyon, 10(19), e38277.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e38277
Kalantari, K. (2001). Regional development planning (Vol. 1, 5th ed.). Tehran: Khoshbin Publications. (In Persian)https://www.worldcat.org
Kamyabi, S., & Shirin, M. (2022). Environmental impact assessment of the Damghan Special Economic Zone using the Leopold matrix method. Future Cities Outlook Quarterly, 3(1), 95–104. (In Persian)http://noo.rs/lvPLo
Khodapanah, K., & Yari, A. (2024). Evaluation of the economic and social effects of the Shirineh Asal Industrial Town on rural development in Shabestar County. Geography (Quarterly Journal of the Iranian Geographical Association), 22(81), 35–49. (In Persian)http://noo.rs/j3UzV
Latifi, Ghaem Pour. (2017). The impact of special economic zones on welfare and social development in urban and rural areas (Case study: Salafchegan Special Economic Zone). Social Welfare and Development Planning, 7(27), 197–232. (In Persian)http://noo.rs/6WN42
Lewis, E., & Peri, G. (2015). Immigration and the economy of cities and regions. In G. Duranton, J. V. Henderson, & W. C. Strange (Eds.), Handbook of regional and urban economics (Vol. 5, pp. 625–685). Elsevier.https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-59517-1.00014-0
Mansourian, H., Rajaei, S. A., Ashouri, H., & Hatami, A. (2018). Transition from urban labor market to regional labor market in Iran (An analysis of floating population data). Spatial Planning, 8(1), 51–70. (In Persian)https://doi.org/10.22108/sppl.2018.108542.1146
Mejia, S. A. (2024). The effects of debt dependence on economic growth in less developed countries, 1990–2019. Social Science Research, 117, 102943.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssresearch.2024.102943
O’Donnell, R. (2024). Logic and economics I: Synthesis neoclassicism. Review of Political Economy, 36(2), 610–633.https://doi.org/10.1080/09538259.2024.2309654
Razpour, M. (2021). The role of actors in spatial organization transformations of border regions: A case study of Baneh city and its peri urban areas. Planning and Development Research, 2(3), 146–176. (In Persian)https://doi.org/10.22034/pbr.2021.145874
Sabattini, N. (2022). International labor migration and care: The case of Southeast Asian workers in Japan.https://doi.org/10.22515/sustinere.jes.v6i3.244
Xu, L., Xue, H., & Wu, Q. (2022). The impact of development zones on economic growth in less developed regions: Evidence from Guangxi, China. Land, 11(10), 1658.https://doi.org/10.3390/land11101658
Yamani, A., Salarzehi, H., & Seydi, F. (2016). Identification and prioritization of factors affecting the institutionalization of corporate entrepreneurship implementation dimensions (Case study: Kerman Motor Company, Bam). Public Management Research, 9(31), 123–141. (In Persian)http://noo.rs/56iOA
Zeng, D. Z. (2016). Special economic zones: Lessons from the global experience. PEDL Synthesis Paper Series, 1(1), 1–9.https://doi.org/10.3390/land14020123
Ziari, K. (2017). Schools, theories, and models of planning and regional planning (Vol. 1, 2nd ed.). Tehran: University of Tehran Press. (In Persian)https://www.worldcat.org
Geography and Territorial Spatial Arrangement
Volume 16, Issue 59
June 2026
Pages 139-172

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 29 September 2025
  • Revise Date: 13 April 2026
  • Accept Date: 22 April 2026

Share

How to cite

Statistics