Evaluation of Urban Management Strategies with an Emphasis on Incentive Mechanisms to Enhance Local Participation in Waste Management: A Case Study of Tehran

Urban waste management has become one of the most significant challenges facing megacities, especially in developing countries, over recent decades. The aim of this study is to identify and propose efficient urban management strategies with a focus on incentive and implementation mechanisms to enhance local community participation in waste management. Tehran has been selected as the case study. Data were collected using a mixed-methods approach (qualitative and quantitative). The qualitative phase involved semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with experts and stakeholders in the field of urban management, while the quantitative phase included content analysis and a comparative study of successful global experiences. Data collection tools consisted of a specialized questionnaire and a checklist for evaluating strategies based on legal, economic, social, cultural, and infrastructural criteria. The primary innovation of this research lies in presenting a localized model that combines incentive mechanisms (such as urban tax discounts, financial incentives, education, and cultural promotion) with enforcement tools (including mandatory regulations and penalties) to increase citizen participation. The findings indicate that strategies such as waste banks, deposit-return systems, green schools, and local campaigns are most compatible with Iran’s context and can play an effective role in enhancing public participation and mitigating the environmental consequences of waste disposal. Accordingly, it is recommended that urban management focus on continuous education, legislative reforms, and the design of financial incentives to facilitate the achievement of sustainable development in the field of waste management.