Critical review of the theoretical and methodological framework of economic research and programs of Tabriz Municipality

Ahmadpour Turkmani, Yavar

doi:10.22034/uep.2025.559470.1780

Critical review of the theoretical and methodological framework of economic research and programs of Tabriz Municipality

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Yavar Ahmadpour Turkmani

Ph.D in economics, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

10.22034/uep.2025.559470.1780

Abstract

While Tabriz is grappling with various issues such as a non-operational budgeting system, lack of transparency, patronage, low capacity to implement policies and programs, technocracy in decision-making, low productive investment, poverty and regional inequality, uncontrolled marginalization, ineffective adaptation of the city’s institutional structure, and similar problems, the predominantly imitative strategies that have been applied rather than being indigenous solutions to these issues have often themselves become part of the problem. The blind adoption of strategies from “one best practice” of industrialized countries (solution-oriented approach) and the disregard for the issues, conditions, and requirements of Tabriz’s local context have turned the implementation of those solutions into a problem and led to the inefficiency of urban governance. The “limited access social order” in urban decision-making and resource allocation has allowed a small number of stakeholders to benefit from the current dysfunctional situation and continue basing their proposed research, programs, and policies on solution-oriented rather than problem-oriented approaches. The present article, within the framework of new institutional economics and the art of economic science methodology, while critically examining the translational transfer of solutions from other contexts and the attempt to implant them in a different context like Tabriz, concludes that addressing the aforementioned challenges is contingent upon adopting a problem-oriented approach and the proper application of theories and models. Of course, the stakeholders of the status quo will obstruct problem-solving in this manner. Therefore, the solution is that, at historical junctures, the transition from the current situation to the desired situation should be designed in such a way that, instead of attempting to eliminate the stakeholders of the status quo (and consequently provoking their resistance and violence), their interests are engaged in productive activities and the inclusive broadening of the decision-making and resource allocation system.

Keywords

limited access social order

problem-oriented approach

solution-oriented approach

Tabriz municipal programs and policies

20.1001.1.28212118.1405.7.11.1.7

Subjects

Urban Economy

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