Mazandaran Development Must Balance Nature and Infrastructure

Speaking at the 24th National Conference and Exhibition of Builders, Developers, and Designers, Karim Davoudi, CEO of Madfam Holding and head of the Isfahan Builders Association, identified rapid development without adequate infrastructure as one of the most significant threats facing Mazandaran province. He stressed the need for genuine incentives for hotel construction, resolution of traffic bottlenecks, and a shift toward green and service-oriented buildings.

Davoudi opened his remarks with a central message: “Let us develop Mazandaran in a way that it remains Mazandaran.” He argued that construction growth only becomes true development when infrastructure, natural resources, and environmental capacity are considered simultaneously; otherwise, today’s development could become a legacy of problems for future generations.

Shifting Travel Patterns and New Demand

Davoudi noted that recent changes in travel and investment patterns—including a decline in foreign travel and a growing preference among some high-income households for domestic travel and residence—have strengthened demand toward Mazandaran. He said this trend must be reflected in the planning of future projects, but the response should not simply be unregulated increases in construction.

Project Economics and Hotel Development

The head of the Isfahan Builders Association identified tourism as a key pillar of Mazandaran’s development and questioned why, despite high demand, large investors and builders are not entering hotel construction. His answer was “project economics.” According to Davoudi, hotel construction in many cities faces high fees, land costs, and long payback periods; unless policymakers correct this equation, capital will flow toward faster, lower-risk uses.

He cited Isfahan’s experience, noting that when hotel construction declined, part of the problem stemmed from municipal fees and costs. Introducing incentives and reducing permit costs boosted motivation for new projects. Davoudi proposed that Mazandaran similarly reduce hotel and accommodation fees as much as possible, allowing investors to channel resources into construction and equipping projects.

Traffic and Transportation

Davoudi then turned to traffic and transportation, saying that along the coastal strip, certain specific and limited traffic bottlenecks could be managed through targeted interventions, such as intersection improvements and underpasses at critical points. He emphasized that extensive overpass construction could harm the urban landscape, and solutions must be compatible with the scale and identity of coastal cities.

He also addressed the coastal road, suggesting that opening up and completing the continuity of the coastal route in parts of the province could improve parts of the access network. In his view, transportation infrastructure must be prepared for future demand before construction volumes reach a crisis point.

Madfam Holding’s Experience

Davoudi then shared Madfam Holding’s experience, noting that the group, with several decades of activity and numerous ongoing projects, seriously pursues three principles in its projects: providing hotel services within residential complexes, strict compliance with national building regulations, and moving toward green buildings.

He added that sports facilities, swimming pools, jacuzzis, event halls, and other shared services are not merely luxury amenities but part of a new model of living. Alongside this, reducing energy waste and focusing on green buildings must transform from an optional choice into a professional responsibility for builders.

In conclusion, Davoudi said investment in Mazandaran is a great opportunity, but development will only be valuable when the province’s nature, infrastructure, and quality of life for its residents are considered alongside project economic returns. As he put it, the goal should not be to build more; it should be to “build better.”