بررسی برازش مدل حکمروایی خوب شهری با رویکرد زمینه‌گرا و تحلیل معادلات ساختاری(‌مطالعه موردی: شهر سنندج)

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

In recent decades, the inefficiency of traditional urban management models and the increasing complexity of modern societies have highlighted the urgent need for innovative and effective managerial approaches. Good urban governance represents a holistic, context-based framework that emphasizes interaction, coordination, and collaboration among government, civil society, and the private sector, aiming to achieve sustainable human development. The government is responsible for establishing robust legal frameworks, guiding economic and social activities, ensuring citizens’ security and stability, and facilitating equitable access to public resources and essential services. Civil society and the private sector, through active collaboration, play complementary roles by enhancing participation, accountability, transparency, and the overall efficiency of urban management. By focusing on education, capacity building, and fostering citizens’ engagement, this approach enables effective institutional interaction and responsiveness to local needs. Considering the growing urban challenges, including rapid population growth, environmental pressures, and socio-economic inequalities, identifying, validating, and operationalizing the components of good urban governance is essential for improving administrative processes, promoting citizen participation, and achieving sustainable, inclusive urban development..

The Purpose of the Research:

This study, as a continuation of prior investigations, aims to validate and assess the components of good urban governance in Sanandaj. Specifically, it examines the applicability, reliability, and predictive capacity of the proposed urban governance model within the local context, providing a structured framework for evidence-based policymaking and participatory decision-making that reflects the city’s socio-cultural, institutional, and environmental characteristics. By doing so, research contributes both to theoretical understanding and practical guidance for policymakers, municipal managers, and urban governance researchers, supporting strategies that strengthen governance structures, improve participatory mechanisms, and enhance urban management effectiveness and sustainability.

Methodology:

A quantitative, correlational research design employing Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used. The indicators of Sanandaj’s urban good governance model, derived from prior studies, were utilized to develop a researcher-designed questionnaire, comprising 81 indicators across 18 components. Sample size was determined based on the “ten participants per free parameter” rule and Cohen’s (1992) PLS table, establishing a minimum of 160 respondents. Ultimately, 280 valid questionnaires completed by urban planning managers and specialists in Sanandaj were analyzed. Face validity was confirmed through expert review, content validity was evaluated using the Content Validity Ratio (CVR) and Content Validity Index (CVI), and reliability was verified through Cronbach’s alpha. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS and SmartPLS, enabling assessment of both measurement and structural models and evaluation of predictive relevance, overall fit, and robustness of the proposed framework.

Findings and Discussion:

SEM results demonstrated that all components of the Sanandaj urban good governance model possess strong validity, reliability, and predictive relevance, confirming the robustness its conceptual and measurement framework. The core governance phenomenon functions as a central mediator linking causal, contextual, and intervening conditions to strategies and outcomes urban governance. Cultural conditions were identified as the most influential causal factor, while contextual conditions—including stakeholder motivation, self-development, commitment, and environmental sustainability—along with intervening factors such as social capital, economic resources, and legal support, exert significant indirect and reinforcing effects on governance outcomes. These findings align with previous studies and provide a comprehensive framework for analyzing governance at three levels: strategic/managerial, structural/institutional, and operational/participatory. At the strategic level, policies emphasize inter-agency coordination, regional collaboration, and macro-level planning. At the structural level, legal frameworks, integrated urban management, infrastructure development, inter-city coordination, environmental management, and active private sector engagement are prioritized. At the operational level, neighborhood-based development, community empowerment, participatory education, creative and smart city initiatives, and collaboration between civil society and private actors are essential for achieving effective governance outcomes.

Conclusion:

The proposed model demonstrates strong structural and content validity, while providing substantial practical utility for analyzing and improving urban governance in Sanandaj. It serves as a strategic, evidence-based tool for policymakers, municipal managers, and governance researchers, facilitating participatory, context-sensitive decision-making. Additionally, it offers a systematic framework for identifying governance strengths, weaknesses, and leverage points, enhancing collaboration, operational efficiency, structural coherence, and sustainable urban development. By applying this model, urban authorities can implement targeted interventions, optimize resource allocation, strengthen governance capacities, and achieve effective, inclusive, and sustainable urban governance in Sanandaj and comparable cities. Overall, the study confirms that a validated, context-based model can guide evidence-based urban policy, reinforce participatory mechanisms, and support long-term sustainable development in complex urban settings.