Sustainable Development of Geographical Environment

Sustainable Development of Geographical Environment

Analysis of Key Drivers Influencing the Enhancement of Effectiveness in Strategic-Operational Programs of City and Municipality with a Futures Studies Approach (Case Study: Islamshahr City)

Document Type : Original article

Authors
Maziar Ghaffari 1
Leyla Ebrahimi Jamanani 2
Seyyed Asgar Mirfatallahi 2
Kia Bozorgmehr 2
Mehrdad Ramezanipour 2
1 Department of Geography, Cha.C., Islamic Azad University, Chalus, Iran
2 Department of Geography, Cha.C., Islamic Azad University, Chalus, Iran.
10.48308/sdge.2026.243305.1293
Abstract
Introduction: Contemporary urban management is increasingly complex, highlighting the urgent need for alignment among overarching policies, medium-term plans, and annual budgets. Islamshahr, as part of the Tehran metropolitan region, has experienced substantial in-migration in recent decades. However, the lack of macro-level planning commensurate with this rapid growth has contributed to high population and building densities. Municipal strategic-operational plans are important tools for achieving sustainable development and improving citizens' quality of life. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of these plans is influenced by multiple interrelated factors. Therefore, identifying and prioritizing the key drivers that enhance the effectiveness of these plans through a futures studies approach is essential for urban management in Islamshahr. This study aimed to identify and prioritize the factors that most strongly affect play the most significant role in the feasibility and effectiveness of strategic-operational plans for the city and municipality of Islamshahr?
Materials and Methods: This is an applied study and employs a mixed (descriptive-analytical) methodology within a futures studies framework. Data were collected through document review and a questionnaire survey. The expert panel comprised 25 urban management and planning specialists in urban management and planning (including urban managers, city council members, provincial government experts, and university professors). Potential indicators were derived from the literature and refining them through the Delphi method, analyzed using MICMAC cross-impact analysis the direct and indirect influence and dependence of variables across five dimensions: Structural-Organizational, Process-Planning, Resource-Economic, Environmental-Stakeholder Participation, and Specialized-Technical.
Results and Discussion: The matrix fill rate ranged between 90.00% and 91.67%, indicating a high density of relationships among variables. In the Structural-Organizational dimension, "Relative Autonomy of the Municipality and Interdependence, "Restructuring and Reorganization" and "Coordination among Organizational Units" were identified as the most influential drivers. In the Process-Planning dimension, "Information Technology and Knowledge Management," "Precise Definition of Goals and Vision," and "Coordination among Units and Related Organizations" ranked highest. In the Resource-Economic dimension, "Diversification of Revenue Sources," "Financial and Budget Transparency," and "Resilient Financial Policies" had the greatest impact. In the Environmental-Stakeholder Participation and Specialized-Technical dimensions, factors such as "Institutional Collaboration," "Information Transparency," and "Specialized Capacities and Up-to-Date Data" emerged as key drivers.
Conclusion: The findings reveal that the effectiveness of strategic-operational plans in Islamshahr is primarily influenced by governance/organizational and process drivers, while financial, participatory, and technical drivers play complementary roles. The most influential drivers include decentralization, restructuring and reorganization, precise goal definition, information technology and knowledge management, revenue source diversification, financial transparency, attention to socio-economic conditions, and enhancement of specialized capacities. This study corroborates that in Islamshahr, citizen participation is more a consequence of improved governance, transparency, and communication than a primary cause. Furthermore, the relative autonomy of the municipality, as a highly influential variable, underscores the importance of reducing financial-administrative dependencies and strengthening local decision-making. Finally, practical solutions such as establishing cross-sectoral coordination mechanisms, implementing performance-management dashboards, diversifying revenue streams, and deploying integrated urban data systems are proposed to enhance plan effectiveness.
Keywords
Key drivers
Strategic plan
Operational plan
Futures studies
Islamshahr Municipality
Subjects
Akhavan, A., & Majlesi, N., 2016. Strategic-operational plan, a new approach to the third generation of urban development plans (case study: Strategic-operational plan for the eastern domain center of Shiraz). The 4th International Congress on Civil Engineering, Architecture and Urban Development, Tehran. https://civilica.com/doc/619538 (In Persian)
American Planning Association, 2011. Urban planning and design standards (R. Yousefi, F. Ghorbani Pour, M. Behzadfar, & M. Mansourian, Trans.). Azarakhsh Publications. (In Persian)
Anabestani, A., 2019. Presenting an effectiveness model for developing strategic plans of municipalities in Khorasan Razavi Province. Unpublished report. Governorate of Khorasan Razavi. (In Persian)
Anabestani, A., 2020. Strategic-operational plans of city and municipality in Iran (perspectives, processes, and drivers for increasing effectiveness). Shahid Beheshti University Academic Jihad Publications. (In Persian)
Anabestani, A., 2024. Strategic-operational plan of city and municipality of Eslamshahr – Volume one. Shahid Beheshti University. (In Persian)
Anabestani, A., & Anabestani, Z., 2021. Analysis of key drivers affecting the effectiveness of strategic-operational plans of cities and municipalities with a futures studies approach in cities of Khorasan Razavi Province. Sustainable Urban and Regional Development Studies, 6(2), 43–68. https://www.srds.ir/article_146343.html (In Persian)
Anabestani, A., Kalantari, M., & Niknami, N., 2024. Explaining scenarios for the establishment of an Internet of Things-based smart city in the metropolis of Mashhad. Geography and Urban and Regional Arrangement, 14(51), 127–160. https://doi.org/10.22111/gaij.2024.46411.3135 (In Persian)
Anabestani, A., Tavakolinia, J., & Niknami, N., 2024. Explaining the impact of artificial intelligence on improving citizens’ quality of life with a futures studies approach (case study: Mashhad metropolis). Urban Economics and Planning, 5(1), 6–21. https://doi.org/10.22034/UEP.2024.442663.1461 (In Persian)
Ashrafi, Y., & Janbaba Nejad, M. H., 2014. Strategic planning and developing a vision for Saveh city. Amayesh-e Sarzamin (Spatial Planning), 6(1), 83–112. https://journals.ut.ac.ir/article_51497_0.html (In Persian)
Barghi, P., 2022. Performance evaluation of employees in western Gilan municipalities based on the Balanced Scorecard model. New Approaches in Management and Accounting Research, 5(83), 920–935. https://ensani.ir/fa/article/493956/ (In Persian)
Bhattarai, S. K., Poudel, A., Bhandari, P., Luitel, P., Acharya, S., Nepal, M., & Dahal, D., 2024. Towards sustainable local development: Comparative analysis of periodic plans in Nepalese municipalities. Journal of Interior Designing and Regional Planning, 9(1), 58–72. https://doi.org/10.46610/joidrp.2024.v09i01.005
Bryson, J. M., 2018. Strategic planning for public and nonprofit organizations: A guide to strengthening and sustaining organizational achievement. 5th edition. Wiley. https://books.google.com/books/about/Strategic_Planning_for_Public_and_Nonpro.html?id=xqVFDwAAQBAJ
Chiwawa, N., & Wissink, H., 2024. Effective strategy execution for enhanced service delivery in South African municipalities. Africa’s Public Service Delivery and Performance Review, 12(1), a741. https://doi.org/10.4102/apsdpr.v12i1.741
CNSIS (Canada-Nova Scotia Infrastructure Secretariat), 2011. Capital investment plan (CIP). http://www.nsinfrastructure.ca/pages/Capital-Investment-Plan.aspx
Conway, F. J., 1999. Romania: Capital investment planning: A self-study guide. USAID. https://decfinder.devme.ai/dec/romania-capital-investment-planning-a-self-study-guide/
Cortinovis, C., & Geneletti, D., 2018. Ecosystem services in urban plans: What is there, and what is still needed for better decisions. Land Use Policy, 70, 298–312. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2017.10.017
Dimitrijevska-Markoski, T., French, P. E., & Cooper, B. S., 2021. Strategic planning in small municipalities: Determinants of planning quality and effects on organizational outcomes. Public Performance & Management Review, 44(6), 1191–1225. https://doi.org/10.1080/15309576.2020.1801267
Dyadik, V., 2014. Strategic planning at the municipal level: Russian challenges and Nordic practices. University of Lapland. https://lauda.ulapland.fi/handle/10024/59408
Farhnahad Consulting Engineers, 2000. Structural-strategic planning of urban development, recent global experiences and its place in Iran, Vol. 4: The place of structural-strategical planning in Iran. Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. (In Persian)
Ghadami, M., & Hosseini Siahgoli, M., 2016. Evaluating effective factors on the implementation of strategic planning in Iran. Geographical Research Quarterly, 31(120), 84–100. https://elmnet.ir/doc/1537292-32702 (In Persian)
Ghaed Rahmati, S., Khademolhosseini, A., & Bonari, S., 2021. Spatial strategic planning of the city and the operational plan of Ardakan-e Fars Municipality. Space Organization and Geomatics, 25(2), 145–181. https://doi.org/20.1001.1.16059689.1400.25.2.7.4 (In Persian)
Godet, M., Durance, P., & Gerber, A., 2008. Strategic foresight la prospective: Use and misuse of scenario building. Cahiers du LIPSOR Working Paper No. 10. https://www.laprospective.fr/dyn/francais/memoire/strategicforesight.pdf
Guyadeen, D., Henstra, D., Kaup, S., & Wright, G., 2023. Evaluating the quality of municipal strategic plans. Evaluation and Program Planning, 96, 102186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2022.102186
Halla, F., 2007. A SWOT analysis of strategic urban development planning: The case of Dar es Salaam city in Tanzania. Habitat International, 31(1), 130–142. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0197397506000361
Hamlin, R. E., Van Ryzin, G. G., Moore, M., & Hawes, A., 2019. Strategic planning in US municipalities. In C. E. Hințea, M. C. Profiroiu, & T. C. Țiclău (Eds.), Strategic planning in local communities: A cross-national study of 7 countries (pp. 209–239). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-03436-8_8
Hosseini Siyahgeli, M., & Ghadami, M., 2016a. Investigating factors affecting change in Iran’s urban planning system using Grounded Theory. Geographical Journal of Territory, 13(51), 31–51. https://sanad.iau.ir/Journal/sarzamin/Article/822667 (In Persian)
Hosseini Siyahgeli, M., & Ghadami, M., 2016b. An analysis of the components of the tendency toward a strategic approach in the urban planning process in Iran. Geography and Environmental Sustainability, 6(18), 81–95. https://elmnet.ir/doc/31198807-18691 (In Persian)
Iran, Ministry of Interior, Organization of Municipalities and Rural Administrations, 2015. Guideline for the preparation, approval, implementation, and monitoring of the city renovation, development, and reforms action plan (strategic-operational plan of city and municipality). Author. Tehran. (In Persian)
Iran, Ministry of Interior, Organization of Municipalities and Rural Administrations, 2022. Guideline for the preparation, approval, implementation, and monitoring of the strategic-operational plan of city and municipality. Author. Tehran. (In Persian)
Lamba, K., Dhir, S., & Tyagi, A., 2013. Examining the future prospects of metropolitan municipalities: A review of strategic plans. International Journal of Urban Sustainable Development, 5(2), 187–204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2022.102186
Mahdizadeh, J., 2006. Strategic planning of urban development (recent global experiences and its place in Iran). Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. (In Persian)
Mashhoudi, S., 2001. Foundations of urban master plans. Tehran Process and Urban Planning Company. (In Persian)
Mehralitabar Firoozjaei, M., Alibeygi Alavi, H., & Geraei Nezhad, G., 2023. Presenting a model for formulating the operational plan of the country’s five-year development plans. Strategic and Macro Policies. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.30507/jmsp.2023.397231.2586 (In Persian)
Moradi Masihi, V., 2010. Strategic planning and its application in urban planning. Tehran Process and Urban Planning Company. (In Persian)
Myron, D., Mykola, H., & Pohranychna, I., 2023. Scientific and methodological basis of strategic planning of urbanized systems. Vìsnik Nacìonalʹnogo Unìversitetu “Lʹvìvsʹka Polìtehnìka”. https://doi.org/10.23939/sa2023.01.067
Nkone, B., Matoka, C., & Ngirwa, C., 2024. Effective strategy implementation: A literature review of success factors in public sector. International Journal of Business Management and Economic Review, 7(5), 170–189. https://doi.org/10.35409/IJBMER.2024.3617
Pincetl, S., 2006. Conservation planning in the west, problems, new strategies and entrenched obstacles. Geoforum, 37(2), 246–255. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0016718505000552
Rahbarnia, G., Saeidi Rezvani, N., & Dolatabadi, F., 2022. Assessing the feasibility of medium-term programs in metropolitan municipalities; A case study: The five-year strategic-operational plan of Shiraz (2013–2018). Human Geography Research Journal, 54(4), 1363–1378. https://doi.org/10.22059/jhgr.2021.311294.1008186 (In Persian)
Rahnama, M. R., & Sadeghi, M., 2012. Identification and measurement of necessary contexts for the urban strategic management model for Mashhad urban management. Journal of Research and Urban Planning, 3(9), 21–34. https://doi.org/10.1001.1.22285229.1391.3.9.2.1 (In Persian)
Rahnama, M. R., & Shad Del, L., 2020. From formulating the vision of Sarakhs city to municipal operational planning. Vision of Future Cities Quarterly, 1(2), 63–79. https://ensani.ir/fa/article/download/471764 (In Persian)
Rahnamaee, M. T., Shabani Fard, M., & Saraskanroud, M., 2009. Strategic development of intermediary cities in Iran with emphasis on the CDS approach: A path towards regional development. Territorial Planning (Amayesh-e Sarzamin), 1(1), 21–54. https://journal.ut.ac.ir/article_20006.html (In Persian)
Rasoolimanesh, S. M., Badarulzaman, N., & Jaafar, M., 2012. City development strategies (CDS) and sustainable urbanization in developing world. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 36, 623–631. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877042812005356
Rasoolimanesh, S. M., Jaafar, M., & Badarulzaman, N., 2014. Examining the contributing factors for the successful implementation of city development strategy in Qazvin City, Iran. Cities, 41, 10–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2014.05.002
Rasoolimanesh, S. M., Jaafar, M., Badarulzaman, N., & Ramayah, T., 2015. Investigating a framework to facilitate the implementation of city development strategy using balanced scorecard. Habitat International, 46, 156–165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.habitatint.2014.12.003
Saeidnia, A., 2003. The strategic nature of urban planning and management. Majazi Journal, 1(1), 6–13. https://www.noormags.ir/view/fa/magazine/number/18301 (In Persian)
Schein, E. H., 1985. Increasing organizational effectiveness through better human resource planning and development. Readings in Human Resource Management, 376. Working Paper No. 889-76. MIT Sloan School of Management. https://dspace.mit.edu/bitstream/handle/1721.1/1917/SWP-0889-02815430.pdf
Setyawan Pudjono, A. N., Wibisono, D., & Fatima, I., 2024. Advancing local governance: A systematic review of performance management systems in local governments. Cogent Social Sciences, 10(1), 2442545. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2024.2442545
Sorokina, A. I., 2024. Features of strategic planning at the municipal level. Sbornik Naučnyh Trudov Angarskogo Gosudarstvennogo Tehničeskogo Universiteta, 1, 483–486. https://doi.org/10.36629/2686-7788-2024-1-483-486
Steinberg, F., 2005. Strategic urban planning in Latin America: Experiences of building and managing the future. Habitat International, 29(1), 69–93. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0197397503000638
Varady, D. P., 2011. John Kromer: Fixing broken cities: The implementation of urban development strategies. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203878606
Yeganeh, M., & Kiani, K., 2019. A framework for strategic-operational plans of urban streetscape management (case study: Amir Kabir Street, Tehran). Journal of Environmental Science Studies, 4(3), 1760–1767. https://www.jess.ir/article_95942.html (In Persian)
Zaker Haghighi, K., & Akbarian, Z., 2015. A comparative analysis of the level of social resilience in historical-residential neighborhoods and formulating a strategic-operational plan for its improvement (case study: Borj Ghorban and Cherchereh neighborhoods in Hamedan). Disciplinary Geography Researches Quarterly, 3(12), 23–48. https://sid.ir/paper/510723/fa
Ziyari, K., & Behzadfar, M., 2023. Strategic-operational planning of urban development (case study: Bandar Abbas City). Urban Planning Knowledge, 7(3), 90–120. https://doi.org/10.22124/upk.2022.19433.1635 (In Persian)
Sustainable Development of Geographical Environment
Volume 8, Issue 18 - Serial Number 18
Autumn
Summer 2026
Pages 126-148