Document Type : Original Research Paper

Authors

• Amirhousein Bakhshi ¹
• Ahmad Khalili ²

¹ M.A. student of Urban Planning, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran.

² Assistant Professor, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Extended Abstract
Background and Objectives: In 1984, Pressman and Wildavsky conducted a study that directly discussed the implementation of urban development plans (Pressman & Wildavsky, 1984). Since then, the implementation of urban development plans has been studied extensively, with different researchers investigating four general categories of key issues in this field. The first category is the conceptual examination of program implementation based on compliance, performance, or a combination of both (Feitelson et al., 2017; Rudolf & Grădinaru, 2017). The second category includes the evaluation and different methods of urban development plans (Alfasi et al., 2012; Lyles et al., 2015). The third category is the identification of effective and influencing factors in the implementation process of urban plans (Loh, 2019; Chu, 2020). Finally, the fourth category, which has received the least attention, is the implementation system of urban plans, which examines implementation systems as a comprehensive and independent process (Suárez-Rocha et al., 2012; Hersperger et al., 2019; Nikolić et al., 2021). While research has been conducted in different sections, such as evaluation, effective factors, performance, and the role of people, the implementation system of urban plans has been limitedly studied. Thus, the main question of this research is “how to model the ideal system of implementation management” in urban development plans to achieve a general concept in the world. The purpose of this article is to identify and introduce an evaluation model and executive management for urban plans, which has not received much attention.
Methods: This research is a descriptive-analytical research in which, by reviewing the documents and the global literature of the investigated field of operationalization and implementation of urban plans, the indicators, systems, and elements of this subject in the global literature have been collected. The main method in this research is documentary studies. In the first stage, the indicators, pillars, definitions, and generality of the subject have been identified in the world literature, and then after identifying these indicators from the bibliographic method using text analysis techniques and the help of experts, in a workshop, a proposed system based on Global literature has been discussed for the implementation and operationalization of urban plans.
Findings: The research’s main question is “How to model the ideal system of implementation management” in urban development plans to achieve a general concept in the world? By reviewing the global literature on implementation management and operationalization of urban plans, 74 indicators divided into 17 sections have been identified. Based on the totality of urban plans, studies, and documents reviewed in this research, an 8-step general framework for the implementation management of plans for a city has been presented. The eight stages of the proposed model are respectively; “Initial review of the whole,” “Review of implementation conditions,” “Responsibility and rules,” “Time and resources,” “Operationalization program,” “Effectiveness,” “Implementation,” and “Evaluation and correction.” This model provides a comprehensive system for managing urban plans from preparation to final implementation to ensure complete and correct implementation. The eight main stages also have executive subsets that cover all 74 identified indicators and factors. In addition to the eight steps, this model requires 5 groups of implementation, evaluation, monitoring, training, and participation, which form the executive council of this model. The proposed model’s focus is on program implementation, whereas, in most similar studies, implementation is seen within the preparation of the program and alongside it. Hersperger et al. (2019) proposed a framework (SPlaMI) that represents current planning practices based on two stages of implementation and planning, including ten general frameworks. Although the research conducted by Hersperger et al. and the current research both seek to introduce a logical system for the optimal implementation of urban plans, there are some differences between them. Hersperger’s research was limited to a systematic review of the implementation based on specific and limited criteria, while the current research looked at the subject in a more general way.
Conclusion: Operationalizing urban plans is a crucial issue in the modern literature of urban planning worldwide. It is understood as a process in which plans are transformed into (urban) space changes to ensure controlled and anticipated change and development (Clifford & Tewdwr-Jones, 2013). If plans are not implemented, no development will take place. This research provides an initially proposed system by reviewing the world literature in this field. While some studies in this field, such as Hersperger et al. (2019), introduce proposed frameworks for the optimal implementation of urban plans, the focus is often on specific and limited criteria. In contrast, this research looks at the implementation process in a general sense. The current research provides an initially proposed system based on global literature to ensure the implementation and operationalization of urban plans. The proposed model provides a comprehensive system for managing urban plans, from preparation to final implementation to ensure complete and correct implementation. The proposed model can help policymakers and urban planners identify the key factors and indicators required for the optimal implementation of urban plans. The proposed model’s focus on program implementation can make it a valuable tool in improving the quality of life in urban areas.

Graphical Abstract

Highlights

- Examining different definitions and theories related to the implementation of urban plans and identifying and introducing indicators that influence the process of operationalizing urban plans.
- Pathology of implementation and operationalization in different parts of the implementation of urban plans in the global literature on the subject of research.
- Presenting and defining the final model of the process of operationalization and management of the implementation of urban plans in a general sense in the world.

Keywords

• City Development Plans
• Implementation
• Realization
• Process Model

Main Subjects

• Planning

این مقاله برگرفته از پایان‌نامه کارشناسی‌ارشد نویسنده نخست با عنوان «ارائه نظام مدیریت اجرایی طرح‌های توسعه شهری در ایران، نمونه موردی: طرح جامع تهران 1386» می‌باشد که به راهنمایی نویسنده دوم در دانشگاه علم و صنعت ایران، انجام گرفته است.

This article is derived from the first author`s master thesis entitled “Presenting the Executive Management System of Urban Development Plans in Iran Case Study: Tehran Master Plan 2007”, supervised by the second author, at Iran University of Science and Technology (lUST).