Comparative study on medium-time 5 year municipal plans, Case study: Qom and Johannesburg metropolises

Theoretical analysis and measuring capability of urban planning systems in various countries with comparative research methods, have good outcomes for cities. The goal of this study is to analyze the structure of forming and the content of five years of municipality’s plans in Iran and other countries with same usage of these plans. The methodology of research is based on process-oriented evaluation and also studying application basis of these plans with each other. This study has used mentioned approaches and with review of main and supplementary approved plans, focuses on five year municipal plans of the Qom metropolis in Iran and integrated development plan of Johannesburg (IDP) in South Africa as a case study. The finding of this study indicated the qualitative distance between these two kinds of the planning system in Iran with an African country which has unique characters like urban poor’s. Integration of urban plans and urban management system, having a simultaneous view to quantity indexes and quality of plans with Performance management system are the most important advantages of Johannesburg to Qom metropolis in this area of medium-time planning. Furthermore, weakness of content in comparison with structure form of plans is Sensible in Iranian case.