Supervision of the Performance of Municipal Duties under the Laws of Iran and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Abstract

Municipalities, as public and local institutions, occupy a central position in the urban management system, and their role in the administration, organization, and development of urban spaces is highly significant. Urban management refers to a set of formal structures, processes, and institutions that operate with the aim of improving citizens’ quality of life, ensuring public welfare, and achieving sustainable urban development. This concept encompasses a broad range of responsibilities, including physical and land-use planning, the provision of public services, the protection of the urban environment, and the development of essential infrastructure. Within this framework, municipalities, as the executive arms of local governments, stand at the core of the system and undertake a wide range of diverse and essential responsibilities. These responsibilities extend from the planning and implementation of development and infrastructure projects to the management of municipal services, environmental management, and responding to the growing needs of urban communities. The importance of these institutions is such that, in many countries, national and local laws confer substantial powers upon municipalities to enable them to effectively manage, supervise, and implement urban development programs. Accordingly, the present study comparatively examines the mechanisms for supervising the performance of municipal duties in Iran and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Employing a comparative method and content analysis of relevant laws, regulations, and official documents, the study seeks to elucidate the similarities and differences between the two urban management systems with respect to the supervision and control of municipal performance. The findings indicate that, under the existing legal frameworks, municipalities in both jurisdictions play an important role in areas such as environmental protection, crisis management, the organization of urban public affairs, development and construction activities, and cultural and educational development. Nevertheless, considerable differences can also be observed in their institutional structures, powers, and mechanisms of supervision, which are rooted in the distinct historical, cultural, and administrative characteristics of the two jurisdictions. The findings of this study can provide a useful basis for improving urban management policymaking in Iran and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and can facilitate broader comparative research in this field.