Investigating the Role of Urban Management in Increasing Social Participation with Emphasis on Neighborhood (Case Study: Tehran District 8)

Subject Areas : Journal of Iranian Social Development Studies

Reza Ali Mohseni ¹ , Benyamin Naeimaie ²

1 - Associate Professor of Sociology
2 - M.A. in Social Sciences

Received: 2017-12-15 Accepted : 2017-12-15 Published : 2017-08-23

Keywords: citizenship, participation, Urban Management, Local Management,

Abstract :

Every year, many developmental, social and cultural plans are implemented in which citizens have a more or less prominent role. However, the role of citizens and their participation should be promoted to accelerate the implementation of plans and promote the social approach adopted by municipalities. Therefore, the present status of public participation and methods of its promotion should be investigated. The purpose of the research is to evaluate the actual participation of Tehran citizens in urban management plans and develop an operational model to promote public participation. The study is a descriptive one in which the data were collected by a mixed research method, i.e. both qualitative and quantitative. Based on Cochran’s sample size formula, the sample size is estimated to be 384. The first phase of the survey is completed by distributing a questionnaire between residents of the 13 neighborhoods in district eight in Tehran. The results indicate that almost 60 percent of all the plans implemented by departments and units of the municipality have included public participation; however, inconsistency and changes in priorities have caused a reduction in continued participation. Furthermore, the unclear definition of the role of Support Councils and Neighborhood Houses (Sara-ye Mahalleh) has resulted in ineffective public participation. The results indicate that if citizens are made well aware of the measures taken by urban management, they will cooperate more to have them implemented. The suggestions provided at the end of the research are meant to increase public participation and overcome the obstacles identified.

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