Problem overview:

     Awareness and visions: The people of Tehran have been made aware of environmental problems in the city and agreed that counter measures are needed. That is why command and control has been very effective, because the people gave support and cooperation.

     Policies and measures: Iran made significant progress in improving the quality of air by reducing emissions and traffic. Improving public transport, parking, and green zones were beneficial measures that worked in concert with the command and control policies.

Background:

      Air Pollution Abatement by Command and Control blended with improved public transport.

     Pollution generated from transportation: Tehran, by its own admission, is one of the most polluted cities in the world. The Municipality has undertaken several initiatives to improve physical infrastructure and management of urban transport operations.

     Strategies for reducing pollution: The strategy centers on the reduction of carbon monoxide emissions by the following actions:

• Tehran Municipality will convert 1,500 diesel-fuelled buses to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
  
  
• The Municipality also enforces a mandatory emission inspection and control program for motor vehicles permitted to enter the city's Restricted Traffic Zone (RTZ).
  
  
• The RTZ was established in 1983 to reduce traffic in the city centre.
  
  
• Lanes have been specifically designated for buses. As a result, urban bus services, including ridership and average trip time, have increased in the last three years by thirty-five percent.
  
  
• A Park and Ride facility with a capacity of 200 cars has also increased bus ridership.

     Development of Green space to filter air: The air pollution problem has put the development of green space on the list of priorities for Tehran. Since 1989, the green space per person has increased from 2.5 square meters to 10 square meters in 1993.

     For a different perspective on Tehran air pollution abatement programme, see also The Black Skies of Tehran and the Air Quality Control Company