ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the participative method of a citizens' exhibition and its adaptation to the Iranian context. The German-Iranian research project focused on the energy-efficient development of New Towns, with emphasis on the New Town Hashtgerd as a case study. A survey was carried out amongst inhabitants of Hashtgerd New Town in order to investigate views and attitudes on climate change and energy-efficient building, household energy consumption behaviour and energy and resource saving habits. The goal of establishing new towns was to create better and healthier living environments than in bursting megacities, whilst simultaneously counteracting their uncontrollable growth. The chapter describes who the relevant stakeholders are in Hashtgerd New Town's planning and development processes. The Islamic councillors of a town are elected by the residents. For each new town, a local New Town Development Corporation (NTDC) is founded, which is in charge in the beginning stages of a new town.
