Measuring and Evaluating Citizen Participation in Urban Management: Understanding the Influencing Factors

Reza Mirzaei¹ Sina Hemati²

1) Master s student in Urban Management, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, University of Art, Tehran, Iran
2) Master s student in Urban Design, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, University of Arts, Tehran, Iran

Publication : 3rd International Conference on New Research & Achievements in Science, Engineering & Technologies(setbconf.com)
Abstract :
Participatory management serves as a democratic model for decision-making in urban administration, emphasizing citizen participation in administrative affairs and the acceptance of civil groups, social groups, and NGOs at various geographical levels. Councils can be established to distribute power among different societal groups, fostering inclusive governance. This inclusive approach allows for the involvement of diverse groups and social classes in planning and decision-making processes, ensuring effective control and monitoring of urban construction and executive activities for the collective benefit and the utilization of human capital towards sustainable urban development. Participatory planning in urban management is recognized as a significant achievement of strategic planning, gaining recognition among developed countries globally. However, Iran, despite its relative history in modern planning, has yet to achieve success in participatory planning, as evidenced by research conducted in Iranian metropolises. Recognizing the importance of participatory urban planning in sustainable urban development, this research examines the role of participatory urban planning and citizen participation in urban management. This research aims to investigate the extent of citizen participation in urban management, identify key concepts, advantages, and obstacles, and provide solutions to enhance citizen engagement for improved city management. The research adopts a descriptive-analytical research method to fulfill this objective. The overall findings indicate that citizen participation in decision-making and urban management is a crucial element of a democratic government. Increasing citizen participation in urban affairs can greatly enhance the performance of urban management, with inclusive education playing a pivotal role in fostering such participation.
Keywords : Citizen Participation Urban Management Participatory management Participatory planning sustainable urban development.