Identification of factors influencing the realization of good urban governance in the city of Isfahan using a futures studies approach

Considering the rapid growth of cities and the inability of urban management systems to address complex challenges, good urban governance has emerged as a comprehensive strategy to enhance efficiency and quality of life for urban residents. The need for transparent, accountable, and participatory governance in Iranian cities, particularly in Isfahan, is evident. The current study aims to identify the factors influencing the future realization of good urban governance in Isfahan. The study employs both quantitative and qualitative research approaches. A list of factors contributing to the realization of good urban governance in Isfahan was compiled using a Delphi questionnaire survey conducted among 30 experts. Subsequently, the variables were analyzed using the cross-impact analysis model in the MICMAC software. The results indicate that the mental and mindset transformation of municipal managers, disorder and lack of collaboration among governmental and state sectors, the absence of appropriate and up-to-date perspectives in urban management, a lack of synergy in financial, investment, and management domains, deficiencies in the authority of the City Council to formulate necessary legislation for city governance, inadequate proportions and uncoordinated communication among the governor, district governor, and city mayor, interventions and non-technical mandates imposed by the Ministry of the Interior and the Municipalities Organization within the administrative structure, shifting priorities of the municipality with changes in management, failure to transcend partisanship in urban management, and the underutilization of the full capacities of the city are among the most crucial factors affecting the future realization of good urban governance in Isfahan.