Land Reform in Qazvin during the Second Pahlavi Period

Abstract

The objective of land reform was to implement a series of complementary and interconnected measures aimed at bringing about fundamental changes in agriculture, including the ownership of agricultural lands, farming and land-use systems, and methods of production, as well as increasing agricultural output and, consequently, improving farmers’ income and welfare. These reforms sought to redistribute land and eliminate the influence of large landowners. With their implementation, Qazvin Province was also incorporated into the land reform program, and the government at the time purchased part of the state-owned properties located within the counties of Qazvin Province. The aim of the present study is to examine the outcomes of land reform in Qazvin. This study adopts a descriptive-analytical approach and is based on documentary evidence and primary sources. The findings indicate that land reform in Qazvin Province triggered a large influx of migrants during this period, leading to rapid urban growth and the expansion of informal settlements on the urban periphery. This development, in turn, eliminated opportunities for systematic planning for the future expansion of the city and for the balanced distribution of essential urban facilities and land uses across the city and its neighborhoods.