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Kazemi M, Dehghanpour-Farashah A. A Conceptual Framework for Built Environment Hazards Governance in the Metropolis of Tehran: A Mixed-methods Approach. Disaster Prev. Manag. Know. 2026; 16 (2) :294-343
URL: http://dpmk.ir/article-1-790-en.html

Background and objective The structural dysfunction of traditional risk management systems in addressing the complexities of large metropolises has highlighted the necessity of shifting towards modern governance paradigms. While previous research has diagnosed the existing situation and emphasized the need for integrated and participatory approaches, few studies have focused on designing a structural and operational model to implement governance principles in the context of physical hazards in Tehran, Iran. This study aimed to fill this gap by designing and presenting a “conceptual framework” for the governance of physical hazards based on a synergistic and multi-level approach.
Methods This study employed a qualitative approach using a “design research” strategy, which involved a two-stage process for model development. In the first stage, eleven key factors of a desirable governance system were extracted from the literature using the Thomas and Harden meta-synthesis method, based on a systematic review. In the second stage, these factors were used as input for the interpretive structural modeling (ISM) method to determine their internal relationships and hierarchical structure, based on expert opinion.
Results The meta-synthesis phase identified 11 key factors, including “good governance principles,” “network structure,” “safety economy,” and “culture building & social responsibility.” The ISM analysis revealed that these factors form a multi-level hierarchical model. Factors, such as “good governance principles” and “rule of law”, were identified as “fundamental drivers” at the lowest level, while factors like “physical resilience standards” and “command and operations structure” were positioned as “ultimate goals” at the highest level. Integrating these findings produced a final conceptual framework comprising a macro-level (policymaking), three main intervention levels (prevention, action, monitoring), and two cross-cutting enabling layers (safety economy and social responsibilities).
Conclusion The proposed conceptual framework, grounded in a scientific and structured methodology, offers an innovative response to the challenges of fragmentation and Structural Dysfunction in the traditional risk management system. By precisely defining actors, levels, and relationships, this framework provides an operational roadmap for the transition towards integrated, proactive, and participatory governance. It can serve as a foundation for reforming policies and institutional structures in physical safety in Tehran.