Document Type : Scientific-Research
Authors
1
Professor of Geography and Urban Planning, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
2
Assistant Professor of Geography and Urban Planning, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
3
Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
Abstract
Extended Abstract
Introduction
Cities are now significant actors on the international stage. The processes of globalization and interdependence among societies have led cities to play an increasingly active role in managing political, economic, and cultural spaces. This transformation has brought forward concepts such as city diplomacy as a means to enhance the international standing of cities, promote sustainable local development, attract foreign investment, facilitate cultural exchange, and strengthen transnational connections. In Iran, the metropolis of Mashhad, due to the geographical, religious, cultural, and economic characteristics of Mashhad, holds considerable potential for engaging in city diplomacy. However, preliminary observations suggest that despite certain initiatives in international engagement, Mashhad has not succeeded in securing a notable position within the hierarchy of global cities and continues to face multiple challenges.
This study aimed to identify and analyze the main obstacles to and needs of city diplomacy in Mashhad. The primary research question is: What are the most critical barriers to achieving effective city diplomacy in Mashhad, and how can informed strategies be developed to enhance international urban relations? The significance of this study lies in the absence of a systematic and comprehensive investigation into the structural, perceptual, and policy-related issues concerning Mashhad’s city diplomacy, which has hindered effective planning in this area
Method
This research employs a qualitative and descriptive-analytical approach. Data were collected through two main channels. First, a specialized panel was conducted with the participation of 30 experts and municipal officials in Mashhad, divided into four thematic working groups focusing on the international economy and foreign investment, international organizations, socio-cultural and pilgrimage issues, and international communication and public relations. Second, ten semi-structured interviews were conducted with individuals who had direct experience and responsibilities in matters related to city diplomacy. These interviews were designed based on the principle of theoretical saturation and aimed to enrich and validate the findings of the panel.
The qualitative data were analyzed using coding methods and categorized into three main thematic areas. The geographical scope of this study was the metropolis of Mashhad, Iran’s second most populous city and a major religious center. Due to receiving millions of pilgrims and tourists annually, this city possesses substantial potential for transnational engagement.
Results
The analysis of the panel discussions revealed a total of 42 key needs across the four thematic areas, of which 31 items (approximately 74%) were considered of high-priority by a majority of respondents. In the domain of international economy, the highest priorities were developing investment packages, branding Mashhad internationally, expanding tourism infrastructure, establishing investment databases, and simplifying regulations to facilitate foreign investment. Regarding the international organizations, the needs focused on brand development prerequisites, creating multilingual portals, training specialized personnel, and utilizing financial and advisory resources from international bodies. In the cultural and pilgrimage domain, significant needs were identified in international cultural promotion, the elevation of Mashhad’s international status, and the need of designing a model for international urban development. In the communications and public relations domain, the emphasis was on establishing a strong brand identity, disseminating the discourse of city diplomacy among officials and citizens, learning from international experiences, enhancing digital infrastructure, and audience targeting strategies.
Moreover, interviews with urban officials identified three main categories of challenges:
Cognitive and perceptual barriers such as a limited understanding of the concept of city diplomacy, perceiving it as superficial or unnecessary, and lack of familiarity among city managers with the relevant literature and instruments;
Structural constraints stemming from national foreign policy, including international tensions, sanctions, the absence of effective public diplomacy, and their negative effects on attracting tourists, investors, and international collaboration;
Institutional and organizational shortcomings such as lack of an integrated management structure, overlapping responsibilities across institutions, shortage
of specialized human resources, and ineffective decision-making systems for international urban relations.
Discussion and Conclusion
The findings clearly indicated that implementing city diplomacy in Mashhad cannot be achieved merely through isolated projects or international memberships. What is fundamentally required is a transformational shift in the mindset of urban managers regarding the global context and the need for active engagement. Without a realistic and informed understanding of global urban dynamics, any initiative in city diplomacy is likely to remain symbolic and ineffective.
Moreover, the current fragmented and decentralized structure of urban management in Mashhad, along with the absence of a dedicated and capable entity for leading city diplomacy efforts, severely limits the city’s ability to act strategically in the global arena. Additionally, Iran’s foreign policy context, which significantly influences cities’ international relations, often hampers efforts in this domain.
This study underscores the need for reform at three interrelated levels:
At the macro level, national foreign policy should be reoriented to facilitate the global engagement of cities;
At the meso level, Mashhad Municipality should establish a centralized and coherent institutional structure dedicated to city diplomacy;
At the micro level, initiatives for training city officials, raising awareness, and embedding the discourse of city diplomacy in both policymaking and public consciousness must be developed and sustained.
Only through these strategic reforms can a comprehensive roadmap for Mashhad’s ascent in the global urban hierarchy be envisioned and operationalized. The future of city diplomacy in Mashhad depends on both structural readiness and this city’s capacity to adapt to a rapidly evolving global order.
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