Introduction

Metropolitan (urban) areas possess the inherent potential to become primary hubs for the attraction of labor, knowledge, and infrastructure, serving as the core centers of spatial linkages. However, the existing administrative-managerial structures, which are generally antiquated, have proven incapable of reflecting effective governance across the entire metropolitan domain. Consequently, they exhibit deficiencies in addressing the complex socio-economic and infrastructural issues prevalent in both the core urban area and its peripheral zones. This structural deficit in governance has critically exacerbated the mismatch (or dysfunctional synergy) between the socio-economic subsystems and the socio-ecological subsystems characterizing the rural areas surrounding Tehran Metropolis. Therefore, there is a critical necessity to adopt an integrated management and policymaking approach to resolve the problems of the Tehran Metropolitan Area, particularly the rural settlements within its boundaries, in order to align management practices with the ecological carrying capacity of the surrounding environments. In this context, the present study aims, while identifying the factors influencing the realization of integrated urban-rural management through the case study of Rey County, to analyze the extent of the impact of each of these factors on integrated urban-rural management. Accordingly, the research question is posed as follows: What are the prerequisites for achieving an integrated urban-rural management model in the Rey region

Methodology

The present study aimed to identify the requirements for achieving an integrated urban-rural management model in the vicinity of Tehran metropolis, with a case study of rural settlements in the Rey Area. This research is applied in type and descriptive-analytical in nature. In this process, documentary and field methods were used, consistent with the required data. The data collection tools included interviews and a researcher-made questionnaire (88 items within 24 indicators). The studied populations in the present research comprised academic experts, executive managers (Governorate, District Office, Municipality, Rural Council, Environmental Protection, Agricultural Jihad, and Housing Foundation), and local/indigenous experts and managers at the Rey county level. The statistical population in this study consists of rural settlements located around the Tehran metropolis. Villages were purposefully selected from those situated within the city’s jurisdiction and having a close relationship with it. Therefore, 60 villages were chosen as the initial sample. For data analysis, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, factor analysis, Durbin-Watson test, and path analysis were utilized in SPSS software.

Results and Discussion

Based on the research findings, urban-rural management in the areas surrounding Tehran metropolis necessitates a “paradigm shift” from traditional, fragmented, and disconnected approaches towards “integrated management.” Consequently, eight factors—policy-territorial integration (with two indicators), structural-managerial integration (with four indicators), sectoral-organizational integration (with four indicators), functional-executive integration (with two indicators), financial-credit integration (with two indicators), legal integration (with two indicators), vertical integration (with two indicators), and citizen-centricity (with four indicators)—effective in achieving an appropriate integrated urban-rural management model in the vicinity of Tehran metropolis, indicate a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted dimensions of urban-rural management. This provides the capability for establishing a suitable structure for integrated urban-rural management around Tehran metropolis. Policy-territorial integration (with a coefficient of -4.824), vertical integration (coefficient 2.873), citizen-centricity (coefficient 2.132), legal integration (coefficient 2.008), sectoral-organizational integration (coefficient -1.514), structural-managerial integration (coefficient -0.919), and functional-executive integration (coefficient 0.747) have the greatest impact, respectively, on achieving the integrated urban-rural management model in the areas surrounding Tehran metropolis. Financial-credit integration, due to its error level exceeding (0.05), does not have a direct impact on achieving the integrated urban-rural management model.

Conclusion

The analyses conducted on “integration” in urban-rural management reveal that, despite its theoretical potential to enhance efficiency and effectiveness, this concept is complex, multifaceted, and deeply context-dependent in practice. Empirical and analytical findings, particularly the concept of a “negative beta coefficient” in the four factors of sectoral-organizational integration, policy-territorial integration, structural-managerial integration, and functional-executive integration, strongly underscore that mere attempts at integration do not guarantee positive outcomes. Instead, the formation and ultimate effectiveness of integration are highly contingent upon the quality of implementing its fundamental requirements. Therefore, based on the findings, the key to success in achieving a suitable integrated urban-rural management model in the areas surrounding the Tehran metropolis lies in selecting an appropriate approach and paying attention to fundamental requirements. Imposed and centralized approaches should be avoided, moving towards participatory, flexible approaches that are tailored to local territorial realities. By doing so, integration can be utilized as a powerful tool to improve the urban-rural management of surrounding areas.