Analysis of the challenges and needs of urban diplomacy in Mashhad metropolis

جغرافیا و توسعه فضای شهری

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 01 October 2024   

Document Type: Scientific-Research

DOI: 10.22067/jgusd.2024.43047.0

Authors

Mohammad rahim Rahnama; Rouhollah Asadi^* ; Omid Ali Kharazmi

Member of the Faculty of Geography, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

Abstract

We are living in a time where the fabric is formed based on the relationship between countries and globalization has linked the fate of geographical spaces - especially cities. In the global space of cities that its essential characteristic is the interaction of different levels of power within and outside the boundaries of the land, urban management should practice a proper approach to adopt in this space. Urban diplomacy is a suitable approach for this purpose. This research seeks to identify and analyze the problems and needs of Mashhad in the field of urban diplomacy. The data was collected through the formation of a panel (with the participation of 30 people in four working groups on the topic of urban diplomacy in Mashhad) and semi-structured interviews (with 10 Managers and officials). As a result of the panel, 42 priorities were obtained in four categories (international economy and foreign investment; international organizations; socio-cultural issues and pilgrimage; international communication and advertising). After coding, the interview data were categorized into three categories. The results show that both experts and officials believe that Mashhad has many problems and needs and that it is not possible to open them without relations with other countries. The most fundamental challenge of Mashhad's urban diplomacy is the "mentality" of officials and the "lack of true knowledge" of the global space of cities and proper interaction with it. After that, there are problems arising from the country's foreign policy and problems related to the management structure of cities. The most basic need and proposal for urban management is to improve relations with the world at the national level, and the future of Mashhad's urban diplomacy will show Iran's situation in the world to a large extent; A situation that will arise from the way of interacting with the world.

Keywords

Globalization; urban diplomacy; Mashhad; urban management; problems

References