Jahangir Almasi stressed that urban management should be receptive to all segments of society, stating: The participatory program 'I Am the Mayor' with a focus on participatory budgeting is a valuable opportunity for reviving public participation. He emphasized that the implementation of this program should be planned in such a way that the voices of marginalized groups and residents of underprivileged neighborhoods, who have less access to digital tools, are also heard. According to Almasi, the city belongs to all people, and everyone's opinions should be considered in urban management.
The Gap Between Capacities and People's Needs
Almasi pointed to existing capacities and the necessity of modeling smart management in today's world, saying: 'Modern urban management must minimize the gap between national capacities and the welfare needs of the people with an efficient economic perspective.' He also invited Tehran citizens to actively participate in the fifth round of the 'I Am the Mayor' program and noted: 'People should hold the keys to the city and demand their urban rights.'
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History and Achievements of the 'I Am the Mayor' Plan
The 'I Am the Mayor' plan began in the second half of 2022 during the sixth term of urban management in Tehran with the aim of achieving real citizen participation. So far, four rounds of this program have been held with widespread citizen engagement. In the fourth round, a remarkable record was set with 2,666,066 citizens participating in the selection of 3,483 projects with a budget exceeding 11.5 trillion tomans. This statistic reflects the importance and impact of this plan on urban life.
This year, for the fifth consecutive year, Tehran citizens can register and follow up on their neighborhood's construction, urban services, cultural, transportation, sports, social, and urban planning needs by visiting the 'I Am the Mayor' system. After expert reviews and allocation of necessary budgets, the projects will move to the implementation stage. This program not only helps strengthen public participation but can also lead to an improvement in the quality of life in various neighborhoods of Tehran.
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