Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• Saeed Maleki ¹
• Aghil Gankhaki ²

¹ Professor, Department of geography and urban planning, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz,, Iran

² PhD Candidat of geography and urban planning, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz,, Iran

Abstract

Extended Abstract
Introduction
Coastal regions, as the intersection of two distinct ecosystems, serve as one of the most active areas worldwide for the interaction and mutual communication of marine and terrestrial organisms, while providing diverse ecosystem services to humans.The macroeconomic-political approaches of nations towards coastal areas, followed by population and economic influx, have resulted in coastal cities being acknowledged as centers of population receptivity and arenas of competition among diverse groups for access to aquatic-terrestrial ecosystem services. Conflicting interests among these groups and an ineffective top-down management pattern in industrial coastal cities such as Mahshahr and Asalouyeh have exacerbated the adverse impacts of various socio-economic processes on the sustainability of coastal ecosystems, intensifying the clash between economic growth and environmental preservation.
This study endeavors to quantitatively examine the associations between the governance patterns of industrial coastal cities and environmental justice within these regions. The primary objective is to develop a model that elucidates this relationship and, based on the formulated hypotheses, establish a framework for enhancing the efficiency and efficacy of participatory decision-making processes. The ultimate aim is to foster the preservation and restoration of coastal ecosystems, ensure the sustainability of ecosystem services, and mitigate environmental justice disparities during the course of economic and social development in industrial coastal cities and coastal towns.
Materials & Methods
The present study adopts a quantitative approach grounded in the established paradigm of positivism. The target population consists of residents of industrial coastal cities. The accessible population includes the resident population of Asalouyeh (Bushehr province) and Mahshahr (Khuzestan province). Data collection was conducted through questionnaires, and data analysis and modeling of the relationships between variables were performed using SPSS 26 and SMART-PLS 4 software.
The study area encompasses the coastal cities of Asalouyeh and Mahshahr. Asalouyeh is located in the southernmost part of Bushehr province and serves as the center of Asalouyeh county. It has a long history of industrial, commercial, and fishing activities. The port of Mahshahr, on the other hand, is currently industrialized and serves as the center of Mahshahr County. It is situated on the transit routes of land, sea, and rail transportation, making it a significant and strategic port, along with the Imam Khomeini port complex.
Results & Discussion
The present study employed a three-section approach to assess model fit, including measurement model fit, structural model fit, and overall model fit. The measurement model fit was evaluated using factor loadings, average variance extracted, composite reliability, and two convergent and discriminant validity measures. Convergent validity was computed based on the extracted factor loadings and average variance values, while the Fornell-Larcker criterion was utilized to calculate discriminant validity.
The results indicated that the factor loadings of each item exceeded 0.5, indicating satisfactory reliability of the model. Furthermore, the composite reliability, average variance extracted, and Fornell-Larcker table values surpassed the acceptable thresholds, indicating a good fit of the measurement model.
 
The present study utilized the cross-loading validity index to assess the quality of the measurement model. The Q² values indicated that the selected tool for measuring the latent variable had an acceptable level of quality, thereby validating the measurement model of the study. The results obtained from partial least squares analysis, as presented in Figures (3) and (4) and Table (5), indicated that all path coefficients and t-values were significant, with values greater than 1.96 and p-values less than 0.05, respectively, supporting the main hypotheses based on the collected data from the study population.
Furthermore, the mediator variable of social capital was found to have a moderate effect, ranging from 20% to 80%, in the relationship between desirable governance and environmental justice, indicating partial mediation.
Conclusion
The findings of this study demonstrate a robust and statistically significant relationship between desirable governance and environmental justice. Moreover, the study introduces social capital as a significant mediator in the relationship between desirable governance and environmental justice. The significance of the association between desirable governance and social capital has been validated in previous research.
Based on these results and the substantial link between desirable governance and environmental justice, along with the mediating role of social capital, it is recommended to transition the management approach of industrial coastal cities towards desirable governance. This transition can be accomplished by implementing principles and indicators of desirable governance, such as enhancing participation, transparency, effectiveness, efficiency in decision-making and planning, and responsiveness to diverse stakeholders. These measures will establish a solid foundation for advancing environmental justice in various aspects.
Furthermore, particular attention should be given to augmenting the level of social capital through well-defined and practical planning. This strategic focus will establish the necessary groundwork for leveraging social capital to enhance the effectiveness of desirable governance in industrial coastal cities, ultimately fostering environmental justice.

Keywords

• Good governance
• Environmental justice
• Industrial coastal cities
• Structural equations modeling
• Asalouye and Mahshahr

Main Subjects

• Issues of the border regions of the country