Urban Economics and Planning

Urban Economics and Planning

Analysis of Barriers to Sustainable Development in Small Cities: A Case Study of Bukan Using the Fuzzy Delphi Approach

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Seyed Kamal Sadeghi 1
Haidar Abdulrazzaq Munis al-Aaradhi 2
1 Professor of Economics, Economic Development and Planning Group, Faculty of Economics and Management, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
2 Master’s student in Development Economics and Planning, Economic Development and Planning Group, Faculty of Economics and Management, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
10.22034/uep.2025.535232.1671
Abstract
Introduction 
The analysis of barriers to sustainable development in small cities, particularly in Boukan County, is considered one of the fundamental challenges in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Given the importance of sustainable development in improving the quality of life for citizens and preserving natural resources, identifying the obstacles present in this path appears essential. Boukan County, as a small city, faces numerous challenges regarding sustainable development that require thorough and scientific examination. With its unique geographical, social, and economic characteristics, this county necessitates new and innovative approaches to achieve sustainable development goals. Therefore, identifying the obstacles and challenges in this area can help improve economic and social policies and lead to a better understanding of the county’s current situation and future needs.
Materials and Methods
This study is classified as applied research, and its results can be utilized for the country’s economic development. The study’s statistical population consisted of specialists in regional development who had practical and research experience related to the development of small cities and held at least a doctoral degree in relevant fields. The selection of these individuals was based on purposive sampling, considering their research background, professional experience, and participation in regional development projects to ensure that the opinions provided by the experts were credible and specialized. In this research, a sample size of 15 expert professionals was selected. Initially, the barriers to developing small cities were identified based on theoretical foundations. Then, the fuzzy Delphi technique was employed to confirm and prioritize these factors. The identified components were sent to experts as a questionnaire during this process. After collecting and analyzing the responses in the first round, the results were summarized and sent back to the experts with feedback for further review and revision of their opinions. After collecting and analyzing the second round of opinions, the differences in the mean responses of the experts were examined. If the difference was less than 0.1, consensus was achieved, and the fuzzy Delphi process concluded. Subsequently, the steps taken and the results of the fuzzy Delphi related to the components of the barriers to the development of small cities were presented.
Findings
This research analyzed the barriers to sustainable development in Boukan County using the fuzzy Delphi approach and Shannon entropy. In the first phase, 15 specialists and experts in the field of regional development were purposively selected, most of whom held doctoral degrees and had work experience ranging from 4 to 17 years. This specialized and experiential combination facilitated a comprehensive analysis of the barriers to urban development. In the first round of the survey, significant urban development challenges were identified, and the defuzzified means for each component were calculated. The results indicated that “the lack of transportation infrastructure and traffic” was recognized as one of the main challenges, with a defuzzified mean of 0.910. Additionally, “the lack of adequate financial resources for urban projects” and “weak urban management and planning” were ranked next with similar means (0.790). Other significant challenges included “the lack of active citizen participation” (0.800) and “the scarcity of green spaces” (0.650), indicating the need to address environmental issues and public participation in urban management. In the second round of the survey, the defuzzified means were recalculated and compared. The results showed that the differences in means across all components were less than 0.1, indicating consensus among the experts regarding the barriers and challenges to development in Boukan County. The final results from the Shannon entropy method revealed that “the lack of green spaces and public parks” was recognized as the most significant challenge in sustainable development, with an importance coefficient of 0.380. Following this, “the lack of adequate financial resources” and “weak urban management” were ranked second and third, respectively, with an importance coefficient of 0.320. These findings indicate the need for a comprehensive and coordinated approach in planning and implementing urban development projects, which can lead to improved quality of life for citizens and urban sustainability. To enhance the status of sustainable development in Boukan County, special attention should be given to developing green spaces, securing financial resources, enhancing urban management, and improving transportation infrastructure.
Conclusion
Focusing on and prioritizing the identified components in future policymaking and planning can significantly improve citizens’ quality of life and achieve sustainable development goals. Based on the findings of this research, it has been determined that some challenges and barriers to sustainable development in Boukan County specifically require immediate attention and action. For instance, the lack of transportation infrastructure and traffic, insufficient financial resources for urban projects, and weaknesses in urban management and planning are among the most critical factors that should be prioritized. The significance of these components is noteworthy not only due to their direct impact on the quality of life for citizens but also because of their interrelation with other dimensions of sustainable development. For example, improving transportation infrastructure can facilitate access to public services and reduce pollution, while securing adequate financial resources for urban projects can lead to more effective implementation of development plans. Furthermore, in a context where sustainable jobs are recognized as one of the key indicators of sustainable development, the overall prioritization indicates that addressing key and impactful challenges can provide more effective solutions for sustainable development. This implies that if urban planners and officials can focus on these primary challenges, they can achieve better economic, social, and environmental outcomes. Therefore, it is recommended that urban officials and planners utilize the results of this research to concentrate their resources and actions on addressing these issues to create the conditions for sustainable growth and development in Boukan County. This requires close collaboration between government entities, the private sector, and the local community to establish a comprehensive and coordinated approach to urban management and regional development. Ultimately, this research can serve as a model for other small cities facing similar challenges and contribute to sustainable development at the national level. Given the diversity of challenges and varying needs in small cities, the results of this study can also serve as a practical guide for policymakers and planners in designing and implementing effective and sustainable development projects in other regions. This approach can lead to improved quality of life for citizens and the realization of sustainable development goals on a broader scale.
Keywords
Bukan County
Development barriers
Fuzzy Delphi approach
Public participation
Sustainable development
Urban infrastructure

Subjects

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Urban Economics and Planning
Volume 6, Issue 4
Winter 2026
Pages 72-86

  • Receive Date 17 July 2025
  • Revise Date 24 August 2025
  • Accept Date 02 September 2025