Strategic Spatial Planning of Small Size Towns using Meta-SWOT Model (Case Study: Taft City, Yazd Province)

Document Type : Research article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor of Geography and Urban Planning, University of Yazd, Iran

2 PhD Student of Geography and Urban Planning, University of Tehran, Iran

3 PhD Student of Geography and Urban Planning, Tarbiat Modarres University, Iran

Abstract

Introduction
Attempts to stabilize small and medium-size cities involve appropriate strategic planning. A range of local challenges hampers the efforts to achieve such stabilization processes in medium and small sized towns. These challenges are widely known. They have been explored in many case studies. Though the challenges differ from town to town, a few generalizations can be made, independent of the shortcomings related to geographic location, environmental circumstances and local economic history, or present and past politico-administrative conditions. Strategic planning as a useful tool for management is used to help an organization to better conduct works and ensure that our organization is acting along with our purposes. Hence, one of the most common models of strategic planning for urban development is SWOT model. However, nowadays, experts after many years of using this model concluded that SWOT is based on intellectual inspiration and that it was non-systematic. On the other hand, it avoided quantification and do not have predictive power.
Methodology
This research with the aim of strategic development of Taft city, for the first time attempts to introduce strategic model of Meta SWOT in urban and regional studies. To do this, we have used descriptive and analytical approach and also documentary and survey and field methods for data collection and analysis of data. Meta-SWOT model is used to provide strategy.
The location of this research is the town of Taft in Yazd province. Taft is located in a valley bounded by mountains on three sides. The area of this town is about 15 square kilometers, and most of the spaces in that are occupied by old neighborhoods and gardens. Generally, the town is formed by two sections, the northern part and the southern part that are named ‘Garmsir’ (i.e. hot area) and ‘Sardsir’ (i.e. cold area), respectively. The current town has 24 large and small neighborhoods. The people of the town tended toward Zoroastrianism before the arrival of Islam in Iran, but today most of the people are Muslims. Nevertheless, Zoroastrians are seen in some sporadic parts of the town (AFGO, 2002).
Results and Discussion
According to the results of this research, attention of the authorities to development, particularly in the distribution of funds and the elimination of sanctions and inflation is a priority issue.  It is necessary to develop an integrated planning for many problems such as a drought, water crisis, and intensified migration. This requires the integration of planning. The correct use of the potential of the agricultural sector involves establishment of factories processing agricultural products, encouragement of farmers to use modern methods of agriculture and irrigation. These factors can be instrumental in economic dynamism of Taft.
Conclusion
As it was argued in this research, the findings indicated that urban development is necessary for the residents of the area. It can be concluded that:

distribution of authority and responsibility to Taft development funding or removing the sanctions and inflation is a priority issue. Development of city planning is essential because sanction problems such as drought destroys gardens, water crisis, and intensified migration require consistency in planning.
Correct use of the potential of the agricultural sector are including the establishment of factories for processing agricultural products, encouragement of farmers to use modern methods of agriculture and irrigation. This factor can be successful in economic dynamism in Taft.
Use of public administrators and local authorities is required to encourage participation and collaboration.
In both urban and economic planning, housing is important and should be coordinated with a planned housing problems in the city. The high volatility of future housing can be prevented.

Keywords

References

بهرامی، حسین؛ نادری خورشیدی، علیرضا؛ کثیری نژاد، تقی؛ (1389). چرایی و چگونگی برنامه‌ریزی راهبردی و الگوهای رایج آن، توسعۀ انسانی پلیس، 33، 7، 11-32.
حاتمی‌نژاد، حسین؛ پورحسین، حمید؛ محمدپور، صابر؛ (1390). تحلیل عملکرد فضایی شهر میانی مرند در سطح شهرستان مرند، پژوهش‌های جغرافیای انسانی 43، 78، 23-43.
رضایی، محمدرضا؛ خاوریان گرمسیر، امیررضا؛ علیان، مهدی؛ (1393). تحلیلی بر برنامه‌ریزی راهبردی گردشگری آیین‌های شیعی با تأکید بر توان‌های بالقوۀ مراسم محرم (مطالعۀ موردی شهر تفت). فصلنامۀ برنامه‌ریزی و توسعۀ گردشگری، مازندران.
زیاری، کرامت‌الله؛ تقی اقدم، جعفر؛ (1387). عملکرد شهر میانی خوی در توسعۀ فضایی استان آذربایجان غربی، پژوهش‌های جغرافیایی، 63، 15 – 28.
قرخلو، مهدی؛ حسینی امینی، حسن؛ رجایی، عباس؛ (1387). نقش شهرهای میانی در تعادل ناحیه‌ای؛ مورد مطالعه: شهر میانی شهرضا (استان اصفهان)، دو فصلنامۀ جغرافیا و توسعۀ ناحیه‌ای، شمارۀ 11، 147-166.
موحد، علی؛ مسعودی، ماندانا؛ (1388).بررسی نقش و کارکردهای شهرهای میانی در توسعۀ منطقه‌ای؛ مطالعۀ موردی شهر بروجرد، فصلنامۀ جغرافیا و توسعۀ ناحیه‌ای مشهد، 12، 125-145.
مهدی‌زاده، جواد؛ (1389). برنامه‌ریزی سناریویی گامی نو در برنامه‌ریزی راهبردی، فصلنامۀ جستارهای شهرسازی، سال نهم، شمارۀ 32.
Agarwal, Ravi; Grassl, Wolfgang and Pahl, Joy. (2012). Meta-SWOT: introducing a new strategic planning tool. JOURNAL OF BUSINESS STRATEGY, 33, 2. 12-21.
Akio. Tokuda. (2005). the Critical Assessment of the Resource-Based View of Strategic Management. International Affairs, 3, 125-150.
Barney, J. B. (1991), “Firm Resources and Sustained Competitive Advantage,” Journal of Management, Vol.17, No.1, pp.99-120.
Bloomberg (2012). SWOT, PESTEL, Porter’s 5 Forces and Value Chain.1-16. http://cfcdn.ivoryresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Bloomberg-Business-sample1.pdf.
Boddy M. (1999) Geographical Economics and Urban Competitiveness: A Critique.in Urban Studies, Vol. 36, Nos 5-6, pp. 811-842.
Brennan, C. Hackler, D. & Hoene, C. (2005). Demographic change in small cities, 1990 to 2000. Urban Affairs Review, 40(3), 342-361.
Capello, R. and R. Camagni (2000) Beyond Optimal City Size: An Evaluation of Alternative Urban Growth Patterns, Urban Studies, 37, pp. 1479-1496.
Cerreta, M. Concilio, G. Monno, V. (2010). Making Strategies in Spatial Planning, Volume 9. Springer, London.
De Vries, J. Schuster, M. Procee, P. & Mengers, H. (2001). Environmental Management of Small and Medium Sized Cities in Latin America and the Caribbean. Washington: Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies.
Erickcek, G. A. & McKinney, H. (2006). “Small Cities Blues:” Looking for Growth Factors in Small and Medium-Sized Cities. Economic Development Quarterly, 20(3), 232-258.
French, P. E. & Folz, D. H. (2004). Executive behavior and decision making in small US cities. The American Review of Public Administration, 34(1), 52-66.
Ghazinoory, S. Esmail Zadeh, A. & Memariani, A. (2007). Fuzzy SWOT analysis. Journal of Intelligent and Fuzzy Systems, 18(1), 99-108.
Giffinger, R. Fertner, C. Kramar, H. & Meijers, E. (2007). City-ranking of European medium-sized cities. Centre of Regional Science, Vienna UT. 1-12.
Gillespie, A. (2007), Foundations of Economics - Additional chapter on Business. Oxford University Press.
Gløersen, Erik;Dubois, Alexandre; Schmitt, Peter.(2007). SEBCo - The Role of medium-sized Towns for Spatial Development, Nordic Centre for Spatial Planning.1-31.
Hennings, G. Jenssen, B. & Kunzmann, K. R. (1981). The promotion of relief poles. A strategy for the deconcentration of metropolitan region development in developing countries. Applied Geography and Development, 18, 7–29.
Isoherranen, Ville. (2012). STRATEGIC ANALYSIS FRAMEWORKS FOR STRATEGIC ORIENTATION AND FOCUS. UNIVERSITY OF OULU, OULU 2012.
Jayne, M. Gibson, C. Waitt, G. & Bell, D. (2010). The cultural economy of small cities. Geography Compass, 4(9), 1408-1417.
Jones, G. & Hill, C. (2013). Strategic management theory: an integrated approach.
Kunzmann, K. R. (2000a). Network Europe: A Europe of city regions. In L. Bekemanns & E. Mira (Eds.), Civitas Europa: Cities, urban systems and cultural regions between diversity and convergence (pp. 119–131). Bruxelles: Peter Lang Verlag.
Kunzmann, K. R. (2000b). Strategic spatial development through information and communication. In W. Salet & A. Faludi (Eds.), the revival of strategic spatial planning (pp. 259–266). Amsterdam: Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Kunzmann, K. R. (2009). Medium-sized Towns, Strategic Planning and Creative Governance in the South Baltic Arc.
Margles, S. W. Masozera, M. Rugyerinyange, L. & Kaplin, B. A. (2010). Participatory planning: using SWOT-AHP analysis in buffer zone management planning. Journal of sustainable forestry, 29(6-8), 613-637.
Miller, Danny; Eisenstat, Russell; Foote, Nathaniel. (2002). Strategy from the inside out. California Management Review, 44(3), 37-54.
Rich, W. C. (2007). Tourism potentials in American middle-sized cities: the case of Wilmington, Delaware, and Albany, New York. Tourism and Hospitality Planning & Development, 4(1), 33-46.
Rondinelli, D. A. (1983). Secondary cities in developing countries: Policies for diffusing urbanization. Beverly Hills, NJ: Sage.
Siegel, B. & Waxman, A. (2001). Third tier cities: Adjusting to the new economy. Reviews of Economic Development Literature and Practice, No. 6. Washington, DC: U. S. Economic Development Administration.
Tahernejad, M. M. Khalokakaie, R. & Ataei, M. (2013). Determining proper strategies for Iran’s dimensional stone mines: a SWOT–AHP analysis. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 6(1), 129-139.
TAKANO, S. E. (2009). Application of combined SWOT and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) for tourism revival strategic marketing planning: A Case of Sri Lanka tourism. Journal of the Eastern Asia Society for Transportation Studies, 8.
Taleai, M. Mansourian, A. & Sharifi, A. (2009). Surveying general prospects and challenges of GIS implementation in developing countries: a SWOT–AHP approach. Journal of geographical systems, 11(3), 291-310.
Waitt, G. & Gibson, C. (2009). Creative small cities: Rethinking the creative economy in place. Urban studies, 46(5-6), 1223-1246.
Warren, K. (2008). Strategic management dynamics. John Wiley & Sons.
Xiang, Y. & Li, J. (2014). Evaluation of EHR in Health Care in China: Utilizing Fuzzy AHP in SWOT Analysis. In Frontier and Future Development of Information Technology in Medicine and Education (pp. 2715-2719). Springer Netherlands.
Yüksel, İ. & Dagdeviren, M. (2007). Using the analytic network process (ANP) in a SWOT analysis–A case study for a textile firm. Information Sciences, 177(16), 3364-3382.
Zakharova, A. A. (2013). Fuzzy Swot Analysis for Selection of Bankruptcy Risk Factors. Applied Mechanics and Materials, 379, 207-213.
Geographical Urban Planning Research (GUPR)
Volume 3, Issue 4 - Serial Number 4
January 2016
Pages 467-486

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics