Analysis of Key Drivers Influencing Citizen Participation in Urban Environmental Protection with a Futuristic Approach (Case Study: Shahrekord)
Subject Areas : Sustainable urban development
Aliakbar Anabestani
1
*
,
Parnian SHeykhi
2
1 - Professor in Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.
2 - MSc. in Geography and Urban Planning, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.
Keywords: citizen participation, Shahrekord, Urban environment, Future Study,
Abstract :
Citizen participation is a fundamental factor in the success of urban projects and serves as a means to achieve human development goals and an independent value in the development of urban communities. The level of citizen participation depends on various factors and variables, including social foundations, civic awareness, citizen satisfaction, etc. Therefore, the aim of this research is to investigate the influential drivers of citizen participation in urban environmental protection in Shahrekord. The research method is descriptive-analytical in terms of purpose and methodology. Initially, using the Delphi method, the factors were identified and then evaluated through a questionnaire using the Micmac method by experts. Validation methods were employed to match the data with a futuristic approach, guided by urban experts and specialists. The research findings indicate that among the 23 indicators, attention to cultural promotion and raising citizens' awareness of environmental conservation (community satisfaction, increasing public awareness, reducing conflicts between economic growth and environmental security, promoting environmental conservation culture, etc.) and focusing on the subject of consultation and citizen participation in environmental preservation (public information dissemination, municipal support for participation, providing suggestions and opinions to city managers, addressing public opinion contracts, etc.) were identified as key drivers in priority. Following these, factors such as environmental knowledge, understanding the concept of sustainable development, environmental rights, industrial siting and environmental standards, increasing citizens' environmental awareness through media (awareness of their responsibilities and rights regarding the environment, awareness of environmental duties and rights, enhancing environmental quality, strengthening environmental ethics, etc.), and focusing on the topic of sustainable conservation and use of resources in cities (reducing destructive human interventions, safeguarding the interests of future generations, assessing development program damages, etc.) can provide a suitable foundation for enhancing citizen participation in urban environmental protection in Shahrekord.
Extended Abstract
Introduction
Citizen participation is one of the fundamental factors in the success of urban projects and serves as a means to achieve human development goals and an independent value in the development of urban communities. The level of citizen participation depends on various factors and variables, including social foundations, civic awareness, citizen satisfaction, and more. The roles of citizens and relevant authorities in improving and optimizing the urban environment and the widespread impact of social education and awareness regarding urban environmental protection are among the most significant challenges and issues facing cities today. The discussion on urban environmental protection is also one of the challenges of urban societies, and citizens, through their participation in environmental protection in cities, can strive to create a more peaceful and pleasant environment for themselves in cities.
Therefore, in this research, an effort has been made to identify the factors that can play a role in increasing citizen participation in urban environmental protection a the key and critical drivers that can effectively enhance citizen participation in urban environmental protection in Shahrekord. Thus, the main research question is: Which key drivers will have a significant impact on citizen participation in urban environmental protection in Shahrekord in the future (by 2031)?
Methodology
In the present study, the research methodology is a blend of descriptive-analytical approaches in terms of purpose and a future-oriented approach in terms of the method of execution. Based on this, the most influential factors in promoting citizen participation in the environmental conservation of Shahrekord have been examined. Data were collected through documentary sources (library resources, scientific journals) and field research (using questionnaires).The study population in this research consisted of 25 individuals, including urban managers (mayors, deputies, heads of organizations, and urban district managers), members of the City Council, urban planning experts in the Shahrekord Governorate and the Office of Urban Affairs, provincial councils of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, the Department of Environment in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, professors from Shahrekord universities, as well as experts in the field of urban studies. In this study, structured interviews were initially conducted with a number of experts in the fields of urban planning and information technology in urban areas using the Delphi method to identify key factors. Subsequently, the factors obtained from the interviews and the documents studied in the research background were validated for the reliability and validity of the variables by experts, and finally, the factors were evaluated in the form of a future-oriented questionnaire.
Results and discussion
Through field and library studies, the most influential factors in promoting citizen participation in environmental conservation in Shahrekord were identified. Subsequently, using a quantitative future-oriented approach and the Micmac software, the degree of influence or susceptibility of these identified factors was assessed. Therefore, the research findings indicate that among the 23 key factors affecting citizen participation in urban environmental conservation, after analyzing the indicators and extracting influential factors (direct and indirect), 7 key drivers received priority attention. These include focusing on cultural development and increasing public awareness in environmental preservation (community satisfaction, increased public awareness, reduced conflicts between economic growth and environmental security, promoting environmental conservation culture, etc.), and attention to the consultation and participation of citizens in environmental preservation (informing the public, municipal support for participation, providing suggestions and opinions to city managers, consideration of public opinion, etc.). Following that, having environmental knowledge, understanding the concept of sustainable development, environmental rights, industrial siting, and environmental standards, as well as increasing citizens' environmental awareness through media (awareness of their responsibilities and rights regarding the environment, ethics of environmental protection, etc.), and emphasizing the topic of conservation and sustainable use of resources in cities (reducing harmful human interventions, preserving the interests of future generations, evaluating development programs, etc.), can create a suitable foundation for enhancing citizen participation in urban environmental conservation in Shahrekord.
Conclusion
The research results indicate that paying attention to increasing citizens' awareness in the field of environmental protection and investing in this area can have significant effects on increasing their participation in urban environmental protection within a short-term ten-year planning horizon. Furthermore, focusing on the issue of consultation and citizen engagement in environmental conservation can provide an appropriate platform for their participation in urban management, especially in the currently well-off urban areas of Shahrekord, which are better equipped for participation in urban environmental protection. In contrast, less affluent areas face challenges both in terms of social and economic aspects and in the realm of environmental protection participation.
In addition, attention to the conservation and sustainable use of resources in cities and citizen involvement in how to use renewable energies can create a suitable environment for urban environmental protection.
In conclusion, recommendations are made for enhancing citizen participation in urban environmental protection in Shahrekord, including:
- Increasing welfare facilities and services in Shahrekord and ensuring equitable distribution of sports, recreational facilities, and more.
- Organizing parks and urban green spaces.
- Timely collection of municipal waste with a special focus on recycling.
- Continuous communication from the municipality to citizens through television, virtual spaces, and more.
- The necessity of increased collaboration between Shahrekord's urban management and provincial-level universities.
- Facilitating active participation between urban management and citizens.
- Urban management's special attention to the compatibility and incompatibility of service uses.
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