Investigating the Interactive Role of University and Municipality in Creating and Developing a Learning City

Abstract

This study aimed at designing a model for developing a learning city with a focus on the university role in metropolis city of Ahvaz. The research is based on the Grounded theory. The statistical population included faculty members of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz and Ahvaz municipality managers. Snowball sampling was purposeful and continued until the researcher reached a saturated decision after interviewing 23 samples. After analyzing the interviews’ data, 834 open codes extracted, 38 categories developed and following the three steps of coding, the learning city model was presented. The model focuses on the university with six main categories. The designed model could be used as a strategic or operational model in municipality of Ahvaz city. Based on the data, the consequences and implications of a collaboration between the city and university are as follows: social development and maturating of the citizens, developing social urban activities, increasing cultural and scientific associations, improving urban decisions, upgrading university and municipality cooperation, increasing public awareness and responsibility of the citizens and officials regarding the education, teaching, innovation in urban landscapes and landscape and the obligation of preparing tutorials for any projects in the learning city and improving the municipality collaboration in national and international levels.

Keywords

• learning city
• university
• municipality
• ahvaz
• grounded theory