University of Applied Sciences and Technology of Tehran Municipality Urban Development Policy Making 3092-653X 3 1 2026 03 31 Analyzing the Implementation Barriers to Attracting Investment In Urban Management Projects (Case Study Of Tehran Municipality) Analyzing the Implementation Barriers to Attracting Investment In Urban Management Projects (Case Study Of Tehran Municipality) 173 186 238795 10.22034/judpm.2026.549006.1065 FA Navid Khasehbaf PhD Student of Industrial Management Department, Islamic Azad University, North of Tehran Branch Ali Ansari Master of Economic Management, Investment and Public Participation Organization Of Tehran Municipality Amir Golabzaei PhD in Industrial Engineering, Affiliated Faculty, Azad University, North of Tehran Branch Journal Article 2025 07 29 <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Angsana New'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Attracting investment in urban management projects is a fundamental pillar of sustainable development and improving the quality of life in megacities. Focusing on the experience of Tehran Municipality and applying the Public–Private Partnership (PPP) approach, this study identifies and analyzes the key implementation barriers to investment attraction. Data were collected through the review of official documents, bylaws, internal reports, and previous studies, and were categorized using thematic analysis into four main dimensions. The findings indicate that the most critical barriers include the absence of a comprehensive legal framework for PPP, institutional fragmentation and the lack of a central coordinating body, limited use of innovative financing instruments and overreliance on traditional methods, as well as weak public trust and negative attitudes toward private sector participation. A comparison with the World Bank’s PPP Reference Guide shows that the majority of challenges stem from institutional and legal gaps relative to international standards. Accordingly, policy recommendations include legal and institutional reforms, the establishment of an independent PPP authority, the development of innovative financial instruments such as Islamic finance, and the enhancement of transparency and public trust to strengthen the system of investment attraction. By combining local experiences from Tehran Municipality with international theoretical frameworks, this article proposes practical and policy-oriented pathways for improving the investment process in urban management in Iran.</span> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Angsana New'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Attracting investment in urban management projects is a fundamental pillar of sustainable development and improving the quality of life in megacities. Focusing on the experience of Tehran Municipality and applying the Public–Private Partnership (PPP) approach, this study identifies and analyzes the key implementation barriers to investment attraction. Data were collected through the review of official documents, bylaws, internal reports, and previous studies, and were categorized using thematic analysis into four main dimensions. The findings indicate that the most critical barriers include the absence of a comprehensive legal framework for PPP, institutional fragmentation and the lack of a central coordinating body, limited use of innovative financing instruments and overreliance on traditional methods, as well as weak public trust and negative attitudes toward private sector participation. A comparison with the World Bank’s PPP Reference Guide shows that the majority of challenges stem from institutional and legal gaps relative to international standards. Accordingly, policy recommendations include legal and institutional reforms, the establishment of an independent PPP authority, the development of innovative financial instruments such as Islamic finance, and the enhancement of transparency and public trust to strengthen the system of investment attraction. By combining local experiences from Tehran Municipality with international theoretical frameworks, this article proposes practical and policy-oriented pathways for improving the investment process in urban management in Iran.</span> https://www.judpm.ir/article_238795_c1bd49f26da50446af2aae749fdf5b1c.pdf