A Model for Identify Barriers to Implementation of Comprehensive Strategic Plan of Tehran using Classic Grounded Theory Strategy

The inadequacy of comprehensive urban plans in dealing with the evolution of urban areas in recent decades provides the basis for the emergence of a new model in urban planning in Iran, called strategic planning. Strategic planning that, if the total conditions for success were available, could have been the solution to many of our problems in urban planning and management. However, the most crucial issue after strategic planning is the discussion of “Implementation,” which is undoubtedly the major challenge that managers face it in urban management. A problem that typically goes back to the implementation of strategies. Therefore, it is essential to discuss the causes and obstacles that lead to a miserable conclusion of strategic planning and why strategic plans are not implemented successfully, and what are the obstacles to its implementation? The purpose of this study is to identify the causes and obstacles that prevent the proper implementation of the Comprehensive Strategic Plan of Tehran.

This research is based on a symbolic paradigm using the Classic Grounded Theory Strategy. The type of research is from the perspective of the primary practical developmental orientation, from the perspective of exploratory purpose and the perspective of qualitative and inductive approach. The statistical population of this research is urban management experts who have been semi-structured interviews with them through theoretical sampling and up to theoretical saturation point. The data are categorized by open coding, axial, and theoretical, and finally, the final model of research is presented.

The final model of this study states that the barriers to the implementation of the Strategic Master Plan of Tehran fall into three general categories: Predominant Barriers, Intraoperative Barriers, and Post-Barrier Barriers, each of which has distinct categories and sub-categories.

Failure to fulfill the objectives of the Strategic Master Plan of Tehran and incomplete and inefficient implementation of these plans is not only due to the weaknesses of executors but also obstacles to the implementation of this complex, multiple and related plan before, during and after the planning and a series of causes and factors. Interconnectedness prevents the realization of the goals foreseen in these projects.