Streamlining Environmental Issues in Housing Projects: Adopting the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Approach

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Fatemeh Bahadori Amjaz 1
Naghmeh Mobarghaee Dinan 2
Maryam Morovati 3
1 , Ph.D. Student, Department of Environmental Planning and Design, Institute of Environmental Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.
2 Associate Professor, Department of Environmental Planning and Design, Institute of Environmental Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.
3 Associate Professor, Department of Environmental Sciences & Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture & Natural Resources,Ardakan University, Ardakan, Iran.
10.22034/eiat.2025.248434
Abstract
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is a decision-support tool with significant potential for application in sectoral and physical planning. This research applies an SEA framework to analyze the Comprehensive Housing Plan of Iran (2014-2026). The plan was originally drafted without systematic environmental considerations, as SEA is not yet a mandatory requirement in Iran. To address this gap, the study first re-evaluated the plan's objectives through an SEA lens and then identified alternatives to achieve its goals sustainably. Superior alternatives selected include using local and available materials, designing buildings to harmonize with the landscape, recycling construction waste, utilizing low-maintenance materials, and implementing energy-efficient designs. Furthermore, impact mitigation measures were proposed across different scenarios, covering environmental sensitivities, protection of water resources, pollution control, and waste management. The results demonstrate that ensuring environmental quality and sustainable housing development in Iran requires macro-level, strategic policy-making informed by the SEA methodology at the pre-project stage (i.e., for policies, programs, and plans).
Keywords
Strategic environmental assessment
Housing
Alternatives
Social welfare
Subjects
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