نوع مقاله : پژوهشی-مطالعه موردی
نویسندگان
1 دانشیار جغرافیا و برنامه ریزی شهری، دانشگاه دامغان، دامغان، ایران
2 دکتری جغرافیا و برنامه ریزی شهری، دانشگاه شهید بهشتی، تهران، ایران
کلیدواژهها
عنوان مقاله English
نویسندگان English
In the new ways of managing government affairs, civil society and people are also involved in decision-making. In this regard, a good urban governance is a new model that has attracted the attention of scientific areas and various institutions. Governance is compared to the traditional methods and processes of government decision-making and policy-making, which are usually top-down and non-participatory processes without the involvement of actors, groups, individuals and non-governmental stakeholders, as a collaborative decision-making process.Therefore, the present article was carried out with the aim of measuring the status of competent governance components in the urban areas of Semnan province. In this context, 220 questionnaires were distributed among citizens in 8 cities of Semnan province by random sampling method. Data and variables were also analyzed in spss software. Friedman's ranking test was used to analyze the data, and ANOVA to determine the difference between the means. The results showed that among the components of good governance, the components of participation, rule of law, efficiency and effectiveness, responsibility, accountability and transparency are the most and least important, respectively. Also, there is a significant difference between the average of the studied cities. On this basis, the situation of good governance components in the urban areas of Semnan province is considered unfavorable. Weak governance can lead to Non-participation of citizens in urban affairs and citizens' distrust to managers and official elements of the governance system. On the other hand, good governance can lead to the convergence of citizens, their trust in the government and official institutions, and fair distribution of services and infrastructures, which is effective in increasing efficiency and effectiveness.
Keywords: Semnan Province, Accountability, Good Urban Governance, Responsibility, Participation.
Extended Abstract
Introduction
Traditional governmental organizations, due to their inherent structural rigidity, lack the capacity of managing the rapid and disjointed transformations characteristic of modern urban societies. Complex, dynamic, and multifaceted urban environments demand high-level managerial capabilities, the faculties that the framework of good urban governance is uniquely equipped to provide. The demand for governance shows deeper systemic aspirations for equitable access to power and resources among groups and individuals currently marginalized from the socio-political domain. In contrast to traditional top-down decision-making and policy processes that are typically non-participatory and exclude non-governmental actors, stakeholders, and the citizenry, governance is now defined as the process of collaborative decision-making.
The significance of good governance will be magnified since the national planning and management systems in Iran are characterized by highly centralized decision-making and a distinct lack of participatory engagement. Researchers have been criticizing these administrative structures at various levels. Accordingly, applying participatory approaches, transparent procedures, and democratic paradigms was considered essential for this research and for the broader establishment of a good governance model. The primary purpose of this research was to assess the status of good governance indicators in Semnan Province, Iran. To this end, this study sought to assess the current state of governance in the urban localities of Semnan Province.
Semnan is amongst the most expansive provinces of Iran, with the city of Semnan as its administrative center and most populous city. According to the 2016 National Population and Housing Census, this province holds a population of 702,360 people.
Method
This applied research used a descriptive-analytical method. The statistical population comprised 560,502 urban residents of the eight counties of Semnan Province. A random sampling technique was utilized to select participants from this population. To determine the sample size, the Cochran Formula was used:
where, p = 0.5, q = 0.5, t = 1.96, and d = 0.07. The initial calculation yielded a sample size of 196 participants. To increase statistical precision, this number was increased to 225. After excluding incomplete questionnaires, a final total of 220 questionnaires was analyzed. The questionnaires were structured to align with the research framework and objectives and used a five-point Likert scale. This scale has five equal intervals, allowing respondents to express their level of agreement or inclination towards specific items. According to this scale, numerical values are assigned as very low (1), low (2), moderate (3), high (4), and very high (5).
To ensure content validity, the instrument was reviewed by a panel of academic experts and specialists in the relevant fields. Moreover, the questionnaire's reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s Alpha. A coefficient exceeding 0.70 indicates acceptable reliability. Here, the value was calculated at 0.75. The study was performed using SPSS software.
Results
The Friedman Test was used to determine the relative importance and ranking of the key components of good governance. The statistical results show that, among the various elements of good governance, the components of participation, rule of law, efficiency and effectiveness, responsibility, accountability, and transparency were ranked in order of decreasing importance.
- Regarding responsibility, the overall status is unfavorable. There were no statistically significant differences in various regions, showing a relatively uniform perception of inadequate responsibility. However, Garmsar is comparatively better than others, while Aradan is worse.
- The accountability dimension was measured as highly unfavorable. Significant variations were observed between different localities, with levels fluctuating between marginal and poor. Sorkheh demonstrated a better status compared to other cities, whereas Garmsar ranked the lowest.
- Transparency was highly unfavorable, with significant disparities between regions. Sorkheh outperformed other localities, while Garmsar experienced the most deficient level of transparency.
- The efficiency and effectiveness component was evaluated as highly unfavorable. Statistically significant differences were found in the study area. Sorkheh reported better outcomes, while Aradan faced the most critical conditions.
- Regarding participation, while the overall status was unfavorable, the cities of Semnan and Sorkheh performed better than other urban centers.
-Regarding following the rules, although the general assessment was unfavorable, Sorkheh was the only locality where the status of this component favorable.
Discussion and Conclusion
Weak and inefficient governance can end in people’s disengagement and erode public trust in formal administrative structures. Conversely, good governance can create social convergence, bolster public confidence in state institutions, and ensure the equitable distribution of services and infrastructure, all of which inherently enhance systemic efficiency. Overall, good governance is critical for bridging the divide between the state and the citizenry. To strengthen governance in Semnan Province, the following methods are proposed: decentralization of duties and delegation of authority to local levels; expansion of civil society and the strengthening of modern information dissemination methods, particularly web-based platforms to increase public awareness of development projects; the proliferation of e-government services to decrease administrative bureaucracy; and supporting the growth and influence of non-governmental organizations.
کلیدواژهها English
30.World Bank. (2011). World bank social development strategy: mid-cycle implementation progress report (MCIPR). Washington, DC: World Bank.
