Knowledge Based Urban Development; Development of Strategic Map of Tehran Metropolis

Document Type : Research article

Authors

1 Professor of Geography, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran

2 PhD Student in Geography and Urban Planning, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Introduction
The world today is increasingly dependent on the growth of technology and knowledge-based economics. In the knowledge age, the reliance on the new generation of knowledge, mainly in a technological and innovative way, has become a tool for adapting to changes and management of challenges. Knowledge-based economies also are in need for growth and development through increased competitiveness in the knowledge and technology sectors. As a result, urban areas, which are the main focal points for the development of knowledge economy, are changed by dynamic processes of economic and spatial restructuring. Knowledge Based Urban Development (KBUD) is a development pattern that seeks to provide competitiveness and sustainability in terms of productive and incremental nature of the urban economic knowledge. Cities, especially metropolises, are the optimal scope for interconnection between the urban knowledge for the purpose of KBUD. This article attempts to formulate a strategic map of knowledge based urban development of Tehran by using the resource-based perspective and strategic thinking.  
Methodology
This research has a descriptive and analytical method due to the strategic nature of the study and an applied goal. Theoretical data were obtained by documentary method and experimental data using a survey based on Delphi method. A Delphi team has been selected using purposeful sampling. The criteria for selecting experts include theoretical profession, practical experience, willingness and ability to participate in research and access. From 14 to 20 experts participated in the Delphi. According to the above criteria, 20 experts from research centers and universities have been selected to participate in the research. Meta-SWOT and PESTEL analysis have been used to process information and provide KBUD strategies. The methodology of the article is descriptive-analytical and has a practical purpose due to its strategic nature. Theoretical data were collected by documentary and experimental data through the survey. In order to process the data and production of a strategic map, we used the meta-SWOT model and PESTEL analysis. The results show that Tehran's internal resources do not have the same significance in KBUD.  
Results and discussion
Tehran has a number of sources and internal capabilities that, as compared to other internal resources, are invaluable and irreplaceable in the development and realization of the knowledgeable city. These factors include the science and technology parks, the industrial structure and the establishment of important industries, pioneering in the digital region, KBUD vision, active and expert populations, and elites and creative class. On the contrary, the weakness of research and development in urban issues, economic downturn, and lack of knowledge based economics, poor power of economic competitiveness and natural and environmental hazards are the major barriers and threats. The key role and place of these factors should be accepted by the policy and planning system and explained in the framework of the KBUD policy in order to activate the city's urban economics cycle.  
The results of Tehran's strategic plan confirm that research in urban affairs is a valuable, rare, irresistible, and irreplaceable, and strategically suited. This factor contributes to sustainable growth and support the development of KBUD. Attracting foreign investment in urban projects has also a similar degree of urgency in the knowledge-based development of Tehran. From the perspective of competitiveness we have two dimensions (KBUD and sustainable urban development) and the cities of Isfahan, Tabriz and Mashhad are the major cities in the knowledge-based urban development. Since competitive cities are knowledge-based and creative cities, Tehran's competitive power should first be enhanced through the development of knowledge-based industries and creative industries. But in this regard, the production of space and the construction of space structures appropriate to knowledge base development for improving the quality of the urban environment, quality of life and urban habitat conditions can help to achieve the main and practical goals of the city's strategic plan. Obviously, the realization of the main objectives has an undeniable link with the housing policy, quality of urban infrastructure and the production of public spaces (with social function that is effective in attracting creative class).
Conclusion
The successful transition of the Tehran metropolis to the knowledge-based economy, especially in national and international competition, requires long-term investment in education and innovation and modernization of the city's knowledge-based infrastructure. Outside of the national boundaries, Tehran's metropolis to go among global cities network depends on infrastructure capacity, competitive infrastructure, and structural and political barriers. Urban diplomacy is one of the capacities to facilitate economic integration for the export of knowledge-based products.
Urban planning should be criticized in theory and practice in order to accept the propaganda of knowledge development as a driving force for the urban development. City planning should provide the infrastructure for the deployment of services, construction of spaces and the development of knowledge activities in the urban spatial structure. The priorities of spatial deployment and functional requirements for the knowledge-based urban development are including establishing specialized technology poles in authorized zones (Knowledge industries), supporting the establishment of knowledge-based companies in appropriate areas, developing centers of innovation at the regions and neighborhoods level.

Keywords

References

  1. Ahmadipour, Z., and Ghaderi Hajat, M., 2015, Political Organization and Organization of Urban Space, Samt, Tehran. (In Persian)
  2. Ashoornejad, G., Faraji Sabokbar, H., and Amir Aslani, F., 2016, Spatial Relations Modeling Effective Factors in Investigation of Existing Financial and Credit Centers in Tehran by Geographical Weight Regression, Urban Planning Geographical Researches, Vol. 4, No. 22, PP. 223–240. (In Persian)
  3. Ashtari, H., and Parhiz, F., 2015, Zanjshahr City, Tehran: Tisa. (In Persian)
  4. Beaverstock, J. V. et al., 1999, A Roster of World Cities, Cities, Vol. 16, No. 6, PP. 445–458.
  5. Carrillo, F. J. and Batra, S., 2012, Understanding and Measurement: Perspectives on the Evolution of Knowledge-Based Development, International Journal of Knowledge-Based Development, Vol. 3, No. 1, PP. 1–16.
  6. Carrillo, F. J., 2014, What ‘Knowledge-Based’ Stands for? A Position Paper, International Journal of Knowledge-Based Development, Vol. 5, No. 4, PP. 402–421.
  7. Chen, S., Choi, Ch. C., 2004, Knowledge-Based Journal of Knowledge Management, Vol. 8, No. 5, PP. 73–82.
  8. Dvir, R. and Pasher, E., 2004, Innovation Engines for Knowledge Cities: An Innovation Ecology Perspective. Journal of Knowledge Management, Vol. 8, No. 5, PP. 16–27.
  9. Edvinsson, L., 2006, Aspects on the City as a Knowledge Tool. Journal of Knowledge Management, Vol. 10, No. 5, PP. 6–13.

10. Ergazakis, K., and Metaxiotis, K., 2011, The Knowledge-Based Development Agenda: A Perspective for 2010–2020. VINE, Vol. 41, No. 3, PP. 358–377.

11. Ergazakis, K., Metaxiotis, K., Psarras, J., and Askounis, D., 2006, A Unified Methodological Approach for the Development of Knowledge Cities. Journal of Knowledge Management, Vol. 10, No. 5, PP. 65–78.

12. Ghavimifar, A., and Beeg, L., 2007, Presenting a Strategic Model of KM in Developing Knowledge Cities, 6th International Management Conference, Tehran, Ariana Research Group. (In Persian)

13. Iranian Statistics Center, 2016, Population and Housing Census, 2016. (In Persian)

14. Jafari, M., 2016, City of Knowledge and its Impact on Knowledge Flood, Master's Degree, Technology Management, Superviser: Zahra Razmi, Al-Zahra University. (In Persian)

15. Jomeapour, M., Isalou, S., Goudarzi, V., and Dousti Sabzi, B., 2016, Development of Urban Development Strategies with Knowledge Development Approach (Case Study: Arak Industrial City), Journal of Economic and Urban Management, Vol. 5, No. 4, PP. 53–65. (In Persian)

16. Lever, W., 2002, Correlating the Knowledge-Base of Cities with Economic Growth. Urban Studies, Vol. 39, No. 5/6, PP. 859–870.

17. López, F. A., Páez, A., 2014, Spatial Clustering and Size of High-Tech Industry and Knowledge-Intensive Service firms in the Greater Toronto Area. International Conference on Regional Science November 2014.

18. Mehrani, A., 2013, Investigation of Possible Scenarios in the Formation of Knowledge City in Mashhad Metropolitan Area in the View of Horizon 1404: Relying on the Role of University, MSc Thesis, Department of Urban Affairs Management, Supervisor: Seyyed Ali Kharazmi, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. (In Persian)

19. Mir Akbari, N., Shah Hosseini, S., and Medghalchi, N., 2016, Exploring the Policy of Urban Development of Scientists (Case Study: Tehran), The First International Conference on Urban Economics (with Resistance Economics Approach, Action and Action), May 2016. (In Persian)

20. Mohammadi, A., and Pishegar, E., 2012, Corporate Geography of Advanced Manufacturing Support Services; Case Study: ICT Companies in Tehran Metropolis, Geography and Urban Development Magazine, Vol. 1, No. 2, PP. 49–66. (In Persian)

21. Mohammadi, A., Sarrafi, M., and Tavakolnia, J., 2011, Corporate Geography, Advanced Manufacturing Support Services, Case Study: Tehran Metropolis, Urban Studies, Vol. 1, No. 1, PP. 23–39. (In Persian)

22. Momeni Basheve Saghe, M., Kharazmi, Omid A., and Rahnema, M., 2015, Investigating the Role of Science and Technology Park and Its Influencing Factors in the Development of Knowledge City with Emphasis on Mashhad Metropolis, 7th National Conference and 1st International Knowledge Management Conference, Tehran. (In Persian)

23. Mortazavi, F., 2011, Investigating the Characteristics of the City of Tehran Knowledge-Based on the Attraction and Maintenance of Knowledge Workers, MSc. Thesis, Urban Management, Superviser: Mousa Pourmousavi, University of Tehran. (In Persian)

24. Ovalle, M., Marquez, J., and Salomon, S., 2004, A Compilation on Knowledge Cities and Knowledge-Based Development. Journal of Knowledge Management, Vol. 8, No. 5, PP. 107-127.

25. Perry, B., 2008, Academic Knowledge and Urban Development. In Yigitcanlar, T. − Velibeyoglu, K. Baum, S. (Eds): Knowledge-Based Urban Development. IGI-Global, Hersey, PP. 21–41.

26. Pourramazan, I., Pourhossein Roshan, H., and Ali Akbari, S., 2016, The City of Zanbaniyan: The Future Development Strategy of Zanjan City as a Sustainable and Creative City, Journal of Environmental Studies, Vol. 9, No. 35, PP. 192–171. (In Persian)

27. Rafieyan, M., and Mortazavi, M., 2016, The Importance of Urban Knowledge Developers and Knowledge Town in the Knowledge Economy, First International Conference on Urban Economics (with Respectable Economic Approach, Action and Practice). (In Persian)

28. Saed Moucheshi, R., Ziari, K., Hatami-Nejad, H., and Farhudi, R., 2017, Analysis of Spatial-Physical Deployment of Scientists’ Functions versus Traditional Operations in Tehran (An Analysis of the Distribution of Tehran’s Urban Core), Research Human Geographic, Vol. 49, No. 1, PP. 1–18. (In Persian)

29. Sarimin, M., and Yigitcanlar, T., 2012, Towards a Comprehensive and Integrated Knowledge- Based Urban Development Model: Status Quo and Directions. International Journal of Knowledge-Based Development, Vol. 3, No. 2, PP. 175–192.

30. Sarrafi, M., and Mohammadi, A., 2016, Spatial Analysis of Distribution of Knowledge-Based Companies, Case Study: Tehran Metropolis, Journal of Planning and Space Design, Vol. 20, No. 3, PP. 181–208. (In Persian)

31. Sarvar, H., and Pourtaheri, M., 2015, The Role of Global Economics in the Application Pattern of Advanced Use in Metropolises (A Case Study of Tehran Metropolis), Planning and Approval of Space, Vol. 20, No. 3, PP. 155–178. (In Persian)

32. Tan, Y., 2008, The Making of Knowledge Cities: Melbourne’s Knowledge-Based Urban Development Experience, Cities, Vol. 25, No. 5, PP. 63–72.

33. Taylor, P. J., 2011, A West Asian/North African Cities in the World City Network: A Global Analysis of Dependence, Integration and Autonomy, http://www.iboro .ac.uk/gawc/rb/rb58.html.

34. Vadra, R., 2012, Knowledge-Based Development and Knowledge-Based Economy - A Case Study of Dubai”, International Journal of Arab Culture, Management and Sustainable Development, Vol. 2, No. 2/3, PP. 121–130.

35. Vessali Azar Sharabeyani, M., 2017, Investigating the Relationship between Social Capital and Urban Development of Scientists, Journal of Science and Technology Policy, Vol. 7, No. 1, PP. 17–29. (In Persian)

36. Wang, X. and R. Lihua., 2006, Examining Knowledge Management Factors in the Creation of New City: Empirical Evidence from Zhengdong New District, Zhengzhou, China, Journal of Technology Management in China, Vol. 1, No. 2, PP. 252–261.

37. Yigitcanlar, T., 2009, Planning for Knowledge-based Urban Development: Global Perspectives, Journal of Knowledge Management, Vol. 13 No. 5, PP. 228–242.

38. Yigitcanlar, T., 2011, Knowledge-Based Urban Development Processes of an Emerging Knowledge City: Brisbane, Australia, ITU Journal of the Faculty of Architecture, Vol. 8, No. 1, PP. 53–67.

39. Yigitcanlar, T., 2014, Innovating Urban Policymaking and Planning Mechanisms to Deliver Knowledge-Based Agendas: A Methodological Approach, International Journal of Knowledge-Based Development, Vol. 5, No. 3, PP. 253–270.

40. Yigitcanlar, T., and Bulu, M., 2015, Dubaization of Istanbul: Insights from the Knowledge-Based Urban Development Journey of an Emerging Local Economy. Environment and Planning A, Vol. 47, No. 1, PP. 89–107.

41. Yigitcanlar, T., and Lonnqvist, A., 2013, Benchmarking Knowledge-Based Urban Development Performance: Results from the International Comparison of Helsinki. Cities (London, England), Vol. 31, No. 1, PP. 357–369. doi:10.1016/j.cities.2012.11.005.

42. Yigitcanlar, T., O’connor, K., and Westerman, C., 2008, The Making of Knowledge Cities: Melbourne’s Knowledge-Based Urban Development Experience, Cities, Vol. 25, No. 2, PP. 63–72.

43. Zhao, J., Zhu, Y. G., Shao, G., and Ness, D., 2008, Coping with an Urbanising World: Interdisciplinary Research towards Sustainability, The International Journal of Sustainable Development and World Ecology, Vol. 15, No. 4, PP. 284–287.

Geographical Urban Planning Research (GUPR)
Volume 7, Issue 1
April 2019
Pages 151-170

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics