The position of neighborhood-based management in administrative law in Iran

Pivotal-neighborhood is based on "organizing and managing city affairs with the help of citizens living in neighborhood" and leads to faster resolution of urban issues and problems. According to this pattern, a local institution is formed from the gathering of representatives of the neighborhood. The institution is known in various cities as the "Shorayari" or the "Neighborhood Social Council". The aim of present study is to find the position of neighborhood management and neighborhood council in Iranian administrative law. Accordingly, the theory of decentralization was investigated and avoidance of centralized urban management and distribution of power at the neighborhoods were discussed under that theory. Also, the constitution, ordinary laws, judicial procedure and approach of the executive branch of the Islamic Republic of Iran were reviewed and the position of pivotal-neighborhood in them, was explained. In addition, in order to analyze the obstacles facing pivotal-neighborhood, the limitations of city councils as empowering centers to neighborhood councils were assessed. This article used a descriptive-analytical method and results showed that pivotal-neighborhood model and neighborhood councils have a strong support in legal ideas and constitutional of the Islamic Republic of Iran but its position in the ordinary laws and judicial procedure is not acceptable and over the years, it has not been able to prove its effectiveness. In the end, it was suggested that two measures be taken: First, the powers of city councils should be increased and integrated urban management should be formed. Secondly, the issue of neighborhood councils goes beyond the level of approvals of city councils and is approved by the Assembly as a law.