Social Impact Assessment of The Transfer of Azadi Terminal to Ekbatan Settlement

Problem: Due to the severity of air pollution in the Azadi Terminal area and the investigation of the possible plan to transfer Azadi Terminal to Ekbatan Town, considering the undesirable consequences of this transfer, it is necessary to evaluate the social impact of plan.

Objectives: The main objective of this research is to evaluate the social impact of "transferring Azadi Terminal" to Ekbatan in order to become aware of the hidden functions of plan.

Method: The present article is a qualitative method and field observation and interviews were used in data collection, document review, and content analysis was used for data analysis.

Findings: The evaluation of the terminal relocation plan, consisting eight stages(delineation of the area under intervention, identification of possible impacts, assessment of these impacts, determination of possible reactions of affected parties, assessment of secondary and cumulative impacts, proposal of changes in the intended action and its alternatives, corrective plans, implementation of the monitoring program) shows that implementation of this plan will have negative consequences in the economical, cultural, environmental, health and sanitation, transportation areas, and will weaken social relations and norms, social capital, security, law and order, and will reduce the ability of residents to deal with crises and raise demands.

Conclusion: The results of this research show that the relocation plan to Ekbatan town is not feasible and since the town's lands are communal, any intervention and occupation in it without consent of residents and approval of the Article ₅ Commission will not bring about desired result.