Purpose: Every geographical space as a spatial reality is affected not only by internal forces and factors but also by external forces and factors. The purpose of this research is to identify the key drivers and drivers affecting the physical-spatial developments of the peri-urban settlements of Tehran metropolis in the area of Islamshahr city in the future.

Method: The research method is practical in terms of purpose and descriptive-analytical in terms of methodology, in such a way that first by Delphi method, the factors were identified and after its part was validated, by 35 experts in the field of information technology and planning and rural development in the form of a questionnaire using the structural analysis method. It has been evaluated in 1402.

Findings: The results of the research showed that among the 43 key factors in the three axes of internal, external, and adjacent factors to the metropolis of Tehran and affecting physical-spatial changes in peri-urban settlements, 12 factors have been introduced as key drivers, of which five factors The variable of macro-national, regional and local laws (7+), the variable of progress in information and communication technology (4+), the variable of migration characteristics of rural people (6+), the variable of weakness in monitoring the sanctuaries of Tehran metropolis (8+) and the variable of change in the way Attitudes and norms (4+) have been introduced by experts as the most important critical drivers in the studied area. Therefore, the role of governance policies and urban planning in managing the physical-spatial developments of peri-urban settlements, especially in metropolises like Tehran, is very important in the ten-year short-term planning horizon.