شناسایی عوامل مؤثر بر مشارکت شهروندان در برنامه‌های توسعه شهری- موردمطالعه: شهرک طرق مشهد

Introduction: The rapid urban growth and expansion of cities have led to problems like poverty, housing shortages, and pollution, forcing urban planners to rethink traditional methods. Scholars such as Faludi and Lindblom argue that top-down planning is no longer effective and that citizen participation is crucial for success. In developed countries, public involvement in urban planning is increasingly prioritized, as it enhances community awareness and engagement. However, in countries like Iran, despite official support for citizen involvement, actual participation in urban planning remains limited, often due to a technocratic approach that excludes public input. The Torogh Town in Mashhad faces several urban challenges, including land issues, poor infrastructure, pollution, and a large migrant population. Recent urban regeneration efforts aim to involve citizens through facilitation offices and community councils. This study aims to identify the factors influencing citizen participation and prioritize participatory planning for Torogh's development.
The Purpose of the Research: The purpose of this study is to identify the factors affecting citizens' participation in urban development plans, and it has examined the reasons for the desire and motivation of the residents of Torogh Town of Mashhad to participate in the development plans of their neighborhood.
Methodology: This descriptive-analytical study aims to identify factors affecting citizen participation, making it a fundamental research. It uses a case study of the Torogh neighborhood to assess citizens' willingness to participate, making it applied research. Through library research, participation indicators were identified and validated by experts. A sample of 96 residents (90% confidence level) was selected using Cochran's formula. Data was collected via a 25-item Likert-scale questionnaire, distributed in two stages among residents. The reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.754. The first-stage data were analyzed using the Friedman test, while the second-stage data were analyzed through exploratory factor analysis. Sampling adequacy was confirmed using Bartlett's test and the KMO index. Finally, factors identified through factor analysis were evaluated using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), and the impact of each factor on increasing citizen participation was analyzed and prioritized.
Findings and Discussion: The study aimed to identify factors influencing citizen participation in urban development programs in Torogh town. In the first stage, a questionnaire was used to assess residents' willingness to participate, revealing moderate participation levels and a tendency to engage more in religious activities. Low participation in neighborhood council elections and cultural, educational, and health volunteer activities were noted, with key barriers being cultural underdevelopment, lack of awareness, financial problems, and mistrust in officials. In the second stage, a more detailed questionnaire identified four key factors influencing participation through exploratory factor analysis: 1. Satisfaction and trust in officials; 2. Awareness of local conditions; 3. Information and transparency; and 4. Cultural development. Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process, "Satisfaction and trust in officials" emerged as the most important factor, though it was rated poorly by residents. This suggests that building trust among residents and promoting cultural development are crucial steps to increasing participation. The study found that residents believed participation could be effective if the right environment was provided, with the primary obstacle being insufficient cultural groundwork.
Conclusion: The concept of public participation in decision-making processes for developmental projects clearly ensures that affected communities are informed about the discussions and decisions made by authorities, while also having the opportunity to influence decisions. However, in many cases, public participation is considered a formality, and citizen involvement in planning processes has not reached an optimal level. This study identifies the most effective factors for citizen participation in urban development programs in Torogh, Mashhad. The findings show that "satisfaction and trust in officials" is the most significant factor, followed by "cultural education" about participation, "information dissemination and transparency", and "awareness of local conditions." These factors align with previous studies on citizen participation and provide a foundation for advancing toward true citizen power in the participation ladder. Factors such as "trust" and "transparency" are highlighted as key elements for creating participatory environments, while "public awareness and satisfaction" are crucial for reaching a higher level of citizen power. The study concludes that identifying factors influencing citizen participation can significantly enhance urban development programs' effectiveness by increasing citizen acceptance, which fosters democracy and respect for citizenship rights.