Capacities of Tehran citizens' participation in urban development with the emphasis on smart processes

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• saed khanpor ¹
• Hosein zabihi ²
• ali noori ³

¹ PhD student, Department of Urban Planning, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

² Associate Professor, Department of Urban Planning, Tehran Research Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

³ Department of Architecture, North Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

10.30495/jupm.2022.30009.4133

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of smart urban spaces on citizens’ participation in Iran, especially in the metropolis of Tehran.Smart cities are the cities that make the most of the Internet and the Web to provide diverse and comprehensive services to citizens in various fields. The creation of such a city will have many economic, social, cultural and political implications. Citizens' participation in urban planning and urban management is expected to improve as cities become smarter. The study of the impact of urban intelligence on participation is very important because the concept of participation is considered as a basic concept in urban planning literature all over the world. This is important in metropolises of developing countries such as Iran, which are rapidly undergoing social change such as citizen participation. Especially in a city like Tehran where the level of participation is far from the desired point. The question is, what effect will smart cities have on participation, and what will be the future of citizen participation in smart and dynamic cities? Descriptive-analytical research, while using the methods and tools of documentary studies in the section of theoretical foundations and research suggestions and then based on the survey strategy (Citizens' Questionnaire for 385 people in Tehran), tried to collect data. And then analyze them (with SPSS software). The results indicate the confirmation of the research propositions, because the score of the propositions is higher than the acceptable minimum (3.1) and the standard deviation is below 1 in almost all cases. Also, one-sample t-test with respect to the significance level (sig) below 0.05 showed the confirmation of the propositions.
 
Extended Abstract
Introduction
The rapid advancements in science and technology, particularly in information and communication technology (ICT), have led to the emergence of "smart cities," offering undeniable benefits. A smart city integrates information, technology, and people, enhancing urban management by balancing information management and technology. The concept traces back to initiatives like Singapore's 1992 IT development program and subsequent projects in the U.S. and South Korea. Smart cities utilize the internet to provide comprehensive services, improving efficiency and reducing time spent on mundane tasks. They foster economic growth, reduce unemployment, and enhance social, cultural, and political landscapes. Moreover, smart cities revolutionize citizen participation in urban planning, fostering inclusivity and democracy, and addressing the complexities of modern urban life.
 
Methodology
This mixed-method research, conducted from 2018 to 2020, explores urban smartification and citizen participation in Tehran. It combines qualitative case studies and quantitative surveys. The study aims to explain smart cities and citizen involvement, with a focus on Tehran. A questionnaire was designed after reviewing literature and four rounds of Delphi analysis with experts, resulting in a sample size of 385 citizens. Data collection faced challenges due to COVID-19 and the lack of standardized tools, requiring custom questionnaire creation. Despite limitations, the research highlights smartification as a foundation for enhancing citizen participation in Tehran's development.
 
Results and discussion
This section presents the descriptive and quantitative findings from the questionnaires, focusing on demographic data and software analysis. Among the participants, over 90% (92.7%) were aged between 25 and 39, while less than 10% (7.3%) were aged 40 to 59. Regarding education, nearly half (49.6%) had an associate or bachelor's degree, and combined with those holding a master's degree (24.2%), nearly three-quarters had higher education. For each research statement, the minimum, maximum, mean, and standard deviation were calculated. For example, regarding reducing the time required for smart participation, 68.1% of respondents strongly agreed, and 27.9% agreed that they are less likely to participate physically in consultations, voting, and reporting. However, if these activities were conducted online, citizens would participate more frequently. The mean values for most statements were above 3, indicating strong agreement, and the standard deviations were mostly below 1, showing high consensus among participants. These results affirm the research statements and highlight the potential for increased citizen engagement through smart, online platforms.
 
Conclusion
The research question explored how urban smartification impacts citizen participation in the case study of Tehran. The findings suggest that smartification enhances both the quantity and quality of citizen participation by increasing the number of participants and the frequency of their involvement, as well as creating new opportunities for engagement.
Tehran’s citizens expressed a preference for participating in consultations, voting, and reporting through online platforms rather than attending in-person meetings. They are more willing to engage if these activities are available digitally, using apps or other online tools. The study found that if municipal decisions and consultations were moved online, citizens would participate more frequently and effectively. This is especially true for voting in elections for city officials or community leaders, where citizens are more inclined to vote if it can be done remotely.
Participants also noted that online platforms allow for faster and easier engagement with municipal issues, making them more likely to participate in decision-making processes if they can do so through their smartphones. They believe that using smart technology for consultations on city plans, local projects, and other civic matters would lead to greater participation. Moreover, citizens expressed a strong interest in using smart technology to report issues such as broken water pipes or abandoned vehicles directly to city authorities. They also believe that smart city platforms should allow them to give feedback on all significant urban projects. This digital approach would not only facilitate better communication between citizens and municipal officials but also ensure that public opinion is considered before implementing any changes in the city. Transparency is another key aspect emphasized by Tehran’s citizens. They believe that providing clear and accessible data through smart city platforms would motivate more citizens to participate in city governance. This includes being able to access information on city developments, project updates, and other relevant data in real-time.
The study suggests that by leveraging information and communication technologies (ICT), the city can enhance citizen empowerment, increase political and social engagement, and ultimately lead to more active participation in civic matters. ICT tools could serve as new channels for citizens to stay informed about city developments, voice their opinions, and monitor the actions of municipal officials. To further encourage participation, the study recommends developing robust data centers and support systems in smart cities to keep citizens updated and ensure organizational responsiveness. This will create an environment where citizens can contribute more effectively to city governance. The research also advocates for the establishment of online forums where citizens can discuss various issues, share ideas, and collaborate on solutions. Such forums would promote broader public engagement and foster a sense of community involvement in the city’s future. Additionally, smart applications should be used for regular citizen consultations as they are more efficient, cost-effective, and convenient. When voting and consultations are conducted through smart systems, the number of participants is likely to increase.The study calls for the adoption of diverse methods to encourage citizen participation in Tehran, whether online, offline, through web-based platforms, apps, or traditional communication tools like smartphones, tablets, or computers. Finally, the research suggests that as Tehran progresses towards becoming a smart and dynamic city, all major urban changes should be preceded by smart, digital consultations with the public. This approach would ensure that citizens are informed, consulted, and even empowered to make decisions on urban development, making them integral to the city’s future vision.

Keywords

• participation
• Smart cities
• Citizens
• Tehran City

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