Introduction: Business cluster development in Iran, despite its considerable history, continues to face significant challenges. The existing regulations and guidelines implemented by the responsible institutions generally adopt a homogeneous view of all clusters and fail to distinguish between “modern clusters” and “traditional and heritage clusters.” This approach, which is conceptualized in the present study as the “Carpentry Approach,” views development as a mechanical, linear, and short-term process that can be achieved merely through the injection of technical and financial resources. In contrast, traditional clusters such as the Meybod Zilou cluster are historical-social constructs in which local identity and human networks play a vital role. The central problem is that rigid and indicator-driven approaches overlook the internal dynamics of these clusters. This article aims to introduce and elaborate the “Gardening Model” of development, an approach that emphasizes gradual growth, organic nurturing, and respect for the cultural context. By revisiting the experience of the Meybod Zilou cluster, the study seeks to propose a new logic for local development.

Method: This study was conducted within the qualitative research paradigm using the method of Narrative Inquiry. This method was selected because of the human-centered and complex nature of development processes in traditional clusters, which require an exploration of lived experiences and field-based narratives beyond quantitative data. The empirical context of the study is the development project of the Meybod Zilou cluster during the period from 2018 to 2022, in which the first author was directly involved as the Cluster Development Agent (CDA). Research data were collected through daily field notes, analysis of performance reports, documentation of professional reflections, and narratives derived from interactions with different actors within the cluster ecosystem, including the principal ecosystem actors, supporting institutions, the local community, service providers, and the development team. The analytical process involved the re-narration of events in order to identify the chronological sequence of decisions and the underlying logic of interventions at critical junctures. To ensure the credibility and trustworthiness of the findings, the study employed the strategies of prolonged engagement in the field and peer debriefing. In this process, the second author, acting as a critical analyst, reviewed the coding procedures and the extraction of concepts in order to minimize individual bias and strengthen the theoretical richness of the narratives.

Findings: The analysis of narratives from the Zilou cluster development project led to the identification and formulation of the “Gardening Model of Development” across four operational stages. These stages include:

• “Preparing the Ground” (mental-cultural groundwork and trust-building);

• “Providing Environmental Needs” (securing the support and collaboration of supporting institutions);

• “Grafting, Pruning, and Directing” (establishing new institutions and structures, while reforming and guiding existing ones); and

• “Continuous Care and Improvement” (to ensure long-term sustainability).

Furthermore, the research elucidates the concepts of “Situated Knowledge” (Danayi) and “Contextual Eligibility” (Ahliyat). In this model, knowledge is not merely technical expertise; rather, it is a profound insight into the social and cultural layers of the region, which enables the “Development Gardener” to align interventions with the local logic. The findings demonstrate that success in traditional clusters did not stem from top-down mandates, but was the result of “soft interventions” meticulously tailored to the environmental characteristics and the social fabric of the community.

Results: The research results indicate that achieving sustainable development in traditional clusters necessitates a paradigm shift from mechanistic “Carpentry” models toward organic “Gardening” approaches. This shift requires a fundamental revision of macro-level policymaking, particularly within the “Business Cluster Development Regulations.” It is proposed that heritage and traditional clusters be differentiated from modern industrial clusters, with success evaluation metrics shifting from quantitative measures (such as employment level or export volume) toward qualitative indicators. Furthermore, in the selection of development teams, the criteria of “Contextual Eligibility” (Ahliyat) and “Situated Knowledge” (Danayi) must take precedence over mere technical resumes. Development within this model is a time-intensive process that demands patience and nurturing; thus, flexibility in project timelines and the continuity of “soft support” beyond the official project conclusion are unavoidable necessities. Ultimately, the Gardening Model of Development, by emphasizing the concept of trust, proposes a path where economic growth is inextricably linked with the preservation of cultural authenticity and social cohesion.