Nestled amidst the vast expanse of Iran’s arid desert, a haunting tableau of desolation unfolds. Towering structures, meant to house thousands, stand eerily silent, painting a stark contrast to the bustling life one would expect in a place dubbed ‘Paradise City’. Yet, this ghost town, located on the outskirts of Tehran, whispers tales of unfulfilled promises and dreams deferred.
Conceived as an affordable housing solution for those unable to shoulder Tehran’s soaring property prices, the Mehra Mer project, part of the wider Pardis development, was to be a beacon of hope. Envisioned between 2001 and 2011, it promised a self-sustaining community complete with public transport, hospitals, and schools. However, the reality that unfolded was far from the paradise imagined.
The ambitious project now stands as a monument to abandonment. Many buildings were left incomplete, their skeletal frames exposed to the harsh desert elements. Those that reached completion quickly revealed critical flaws—faulty sewage systems, inadequate water access, and intermittent electricity plagued the residents. The ecological challenges, coupled with Iran’s economic struggles, including inflation, rendered the cost of these homes beyond the reach of their intended occupants.
Despite the desolate scene, a census in 2016 recorded a population of over 73,000, suggesting that some have braved the conditions, retreating to Tehran by day and returning only to rest¹. The lack of public transportation and the grueling commute further exacerbate the isolation of this would-be utopia.