Evaluating the effectiveness of facilitation offices in the development process of informal neighborhoods (case study: Aruznan neighborhood, Isfahan)

Informal districts, an inseparable part of urban areas, have been facing various issues and problems, and planning is necessary to organize them. In recent years, one of pioneer measures is establishing local facilitation and local development with the participation of the people. The current research was conducted with the aim of evaluating the activities of Aruznan Local Facilitation and Development Office in the development process of this neighborhood. In terms of purpose, the research is of an applied type, in terms of nature is descriptive-analytical, and in terms data collection method, is of documentary and survey research. Two statistical populations include the residents of Arznan neighborhood and the experts from academic centers and related executive bodies. The sample size was determined using Cochran's formula for 350 residents and 50 for experts and they were sampled by regular random method. The findings of the research showed: from the perspective of the residents, the success and effectiveness of the Arznan Facilitation Office in terms of indicators of participation (with an average of 2.51), increasing the sense of belonging (2.11), building trust (2.64), providing information (2.48), institution building (2.74), social empowerment (2.33) and economic empowerment (2.06) and mediation (1.85) were at a low level. From the view point of the experts, in terms of indicators of participation (with an average of 3.62), increasing the sense of belonging (3.35), trust building (3.34) and institution building (3.21) at the average level and from In terms of indicators of social empowerment (2.77), economic (2.64) and mediation (2.60), were at a low level. Two indicators of institution building and trust building were with average ratings of 5.90 and 5.76 based on the opinion of residents respectively. Two indicators of participation and trust building were with average ratings of 6.42 and 5.48 based on the opinion of experts, respectively. They have been determined as the most important indicators of success and effectiveness of the facilitation office of Arznan neighborhood. Also, the results showed that the lack of familiarity of some executive bodies with the role and position of the Facilitation Office and the lack of financial capability with the highest scores from Friedman's test (respectively with the rank average of 6.98 and 6.97) are the most important issues and are the problems facing the facilitation office