Analysis of Contextual Urban and Regional Competitiveness Potentials (Case Study: Tabriz City)

The economic life of each city and region can be measured by the concept of sustainable competitiveness with the identity and contexts of those cities and regions. Lack of attention to these contexts can jeopardize the viability of economic life and competitiveness. Planning and investments in some cities and regions of Iran can weaken their economic sustainability in the long run. Recognition of native potentials in Tabriz city and identification of the current situation with a context-oriented approach is the main issues of this study. This study aimed at explaining the dimensions and strategies of promoting urban and regional competitiveness by focusing on contextual potentials in the Tabriz case study. This study is first a descriptive and analytical research to extract the theoretical foundations and dimensions of contextual competitiveness. Then, the case study section was conducted using a combination of analytical and survey methods approaching strategic contextual research. This survey was conducted to analyze the factors affecting the competitiveness and branding of Tabriz city by surveying experts and urban managers through Delphi questionnaire distribution technique with 30 people. The results indicate that contextual competitive advantages can be defined in the natural, geographical, historical, spatial-physical, religious, cultural, social, economic, scientific, and sport fields. The results of field research and statistical analysis on competitiveness of Tabriz city based on the ideas of experts and managers are: ‘originality and global reputation’ and ‘creativity and innovation’ are the most important factors affecting the competitiveness of Tabriz city; ‘unfamiliarity with the factors involved’, ‘lack of specialized look and branding training’, ‘lack of prioritization of indigenous identity’ and ‘political and legal barriers’ are the most important obstacles to competitiveness in Tabriz; ‘historical sites’, ‘genuine goods’, and ‘Tractor Club and Yadgar Imam Stadium’ are the most important aspects for Tabriz’s competitiveness; ‘facilitating political and legal space’, ‘creating economic benefits’, ‘providing tourism facilities (access, amenities, and services)’ are the most important strategies to improve the competitiveness of Tabriz city. The most important innovations proposed in this research with emphasis on Tabriz city conditions include: offering new and adaptable local investment opportunities, entrepreneurship in the field of local businesses, creating and developing identity brands, creating competitive benefits with the focus on the fields and their branding, development of religious tourism infrastructure; branding and development of historical, cultural, social, sport, natural and environmental tourism infrastructure. Also, from the viewpoint of the respondents, introducing the most appropriate aspect of Tabriz's contextual competitiveness, revitalizing historical sites and original goods, paying attention to the branding of the Tractor Club and Yadgar Imam Stadium are important.