نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی
نویسندگان
1 گروه برنامهریزی منطقهای، دانشکده شهرسازی، دانشکدگان هنرهای زیبا، دانشگاه تهران، تهران، ایران.
2 برنامهریزی شهری و منطقه ای، گروه شهرسازی، دانشکده شهرسازی، دانشکدگان هنرهای زیبا، دانشگاه تهران، تهران، ایران.
چکیده
کلیدواژه‌ها
عنوان مقاله [English]
نویسندگان [English]
Decentralization is a governance approach designed to improve the alignment of public services with local needs and preferences. By transferring power, responsibilities, and functions from central governments to local authorities, decentralization empowers lower levels of government to address specific regional requirements. In metropolitan areas, however, decentralization introduces complexities due to variations in the degree and type of decentralization, resulting in diverse governance structures that fall between the extremes of fragmentation and integration. These governance models significantly impact the efficiency and effectiveness of public service delivery. Therefore, a central research question arises: which governance model in metropolitan areas—fragmentation or integration—ensures maximum efficiency while minimizing negative consequences through the optimal application of financial, administrative, and political decentralization? This study investigates the role of governance structures in mitigating the disadvantages of decentralization and enhancing the delivery of public services in metropolitan areas. Grounded theory was employed as the research methodology, featuring open, axial, and selective coding for qualitative data analysis. The analysis was supported by the MAXQDA software, which facilitated the evaluation of decentralization across various dimensions within metropolitan contexts. Data collection included a comprehensive review of theoretical and empirical literature, incorporating Persian and English scholarly articles and books published between 1981 and 2023. During the open coding phase, decentralization-related issues in metropolitan areas were identified and coded. In the axial coding phase, two major categories were established: the advantages and disadvantages of decentralization. This process was also applied to explore different forms of governance within metropolitan areas, leading to two main categories: fragmentation and integration of governance structures at the metropolitan level. The analysis of fragmentation focused on its benefits and drawbacks, while the examination of integration highlighted the pros and cons of metropolitan governance. From horizontal and vertical perspectives of metropolitan decentralization, advantages and disadvantages were further divided into two subcategories: governance system integration as a regional government (decentralization from the national level) and governance system integration as a regional authority above local governments. In the selective coding phase, overlapping categories and their interrelationships were systematically analyzed to address the study’s main research question. The findings illustrate the strengths and weaknesses of fragmented and integrated governance models. Fragmented governance structures improve decentralization by enhancing the quality of public services, fostering independence and accountability at the local level, and driving economic competitiveness. However, these structures often face challenges such as growing economic disparities and higher welfare service costs. Integrated governance models effectively address these drawbacks by leveraging economies of scale and fostering regional collaboration. Integrated governance improves service efficiency while minimizing decentralization’s limitations. Effective metropolitan governance requires a dynamic balance between decentralization and centralization. This balance should be informed by the unique characteristics of each region, prioritizing transparency, accountability, and participatory decision-making processes. In conclusion, decentralization provides a vital framework for responsive governance. Its success relies on integrating decentralized autonomy with centralized coordination, tailored to the socio-economic and cultural contexts of metropolitan areas. Transparency and inclusivity are essential for achieving balanced, efficient, equitable, and sustainable service delivery within urban regions, making this dynamic equilibrium the cornerstone of effective metropolitan governance.
کلیدواژه‌ها [English]
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