Feasibility to implementing City Development Strategy (CDS) in Iran

Urban unprecedented and heterogeneous growth is one of the most important problems in post world war II in many developing countries. The consequence of such explosive growth has led to the widespread poverty. Meanwhile the process of city development strategy (CDS) as a theory of content-procedural and as a new approach was organized by Organization of city coalition in 1999 aiming at reducing poverty, promoting sustainable development, good governance and increasing citizen participation. This new approach intends to provide a context to solve the problems which come from the heart of urban society instead of eliminating them. The contemporary cities which are creating one after anther in Iran are in fact rural areas which changed artificially their names to city and not as real transformation to urban life. It is clear that the weakness of their culture show the necessity of cultural precondition. At present creation of cities in all parts of the country are not based on the cultural evolution but the state decision; so implementation of such plans with broad financial and executive consequences need a comprehensive study in the managerial, cultural and economic dimensions. Based on the above facts, it could be stated that in many cases lack of necessary preconditions has led to the condition which most of the urban plans never materialized. So, it is very important to consider the governing mechanism on planning system and adjusting it as a vital step to achieve desired results by feasible studies. This paper tries to emphasize on creation of necessary conditions for the optimal implementation of city development strategy (CDS). At the same time this paper aims to extract the viewpoints of individual experts besides the feasibility study of planning, economy and urban management system as a basis for decision making in the preparation system of urban development plans. Therefore the main question of the research is as follows: whether planning and urban management system has the proper capacity to prepare and implement CDS? To answer such question, the methodology of the research is based on description and analytical models as general procedure and the relevance documents were evaluated. Theoretical Bases This paper concentrates on the strategy of urban development which helps to a democratic way for decision making and promotion of urban life and was proposed by the Organization of City Coalition in 1999. CDS provides a context which everyone can participate in poverty reduction and economic development in a democratic way. So, the process of CDS emphasizes on the internal capital of urban society and solves the problems via a systematic and a hierarchical order. This new approach as a major measure has provided background for citizens to benefit from basic urban services and the slogans of 'privileged city', inclusive city', 'exclusive city' and ' disjunctive city' were entered to the urban literature. Discussion There are two sets of internal and external factors regarding the feasibility studies and application of CDS in the present conditions of Iran. There are 9 opportunities and 16 threats as external factors and also there have been 8 strong points and 21 weaknesses. In sum there are 17 positive points against 45 negative ones for applying CDS. With a simple analysis it can be stated that the current situation needs fundamental changes in the urban management, urban economy and the indicators of urban quality of life to provide a context for employing CDS. The structural weakness of urban management has led to the lack of readiness for implementation of CDS. Conclusion It can be realized that the Iranian cities suffer from severe internal weaknesses and high vulnerability regarding the results of SWOT technique and Delphi. On the one hand lack of necessary precondition capacity for CDS implementation and on the other hand the urgent need for implementation such plans, demands a comprehensive management. Suggestions There are some recommendations to employ the results of the research: - Creating an integrated urban management system as long-standing desire of urban administration in Iran - Customizing the imported ideas of planning form capitalist countries - Planning with people with the intention of identifying the real needs of citizens - Feasibility studies and capacity survey prior to preparing and implementing of any urban plan.