ABSTRACT
The meaning of participation in Iran is interwoven with many misconceptions and misunderstandings. A City Development Strategy (CDS) is an action plan for equitable growth in cities, developed and sustained through participation, to improve the quality of life for all citizens. The CDS program in Iran builds on the existing strength of local planning in Iranian cities and seeks improvement by bringing in international as well as domestic experiences through technical assistance and capacity building. More citizens are involved in urban planning and urban management decisions, the higher the level of participation will become. The three cities of Qazvin, Shahrod and Anzali have been investigated as case studies to evaluate the level of participation used in developing and implementing the CDS. The World Bank, through the Urban Upgrading and Housing Reform Program (UUHRP), was assisting three participating Iranian cities with their long-term growth and operational sustainability by providing support for the creation of CDS.
