Background and Objective: Sustainable development is recognized as one of the fundamental approaches to urban management and requires the effective utilization of existing capacities and opportunities within municipal environmental policies. Accordingly, the present study aimed to develop a model of opportunities for achieving sustainable development in municipal environmental policies.
Methods: This study is applied in terms of purpose and qualitative in terms of research approach, employing thematic analysis as its methodological framework. The participants consisted of experts in urban management, public policy, and environmental studies who were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews, and theoretical saturation was achieved after conducting 18 interviews. The collected data were analyzed through thematic analysis using systematic coding procedures and theme extraction.
Findings: The findings revealed that the opportunities for achieving sustainable development in municipal environmental policies can be classified into four overarching themes: environmental governance and policymaking capacities; environmental resources and infrastructure capacities; socio-cultural capacities; and technical, operational, and information capacities. These themes encompass opportunities such as strengthening participatory environmental governance, improving environmental legislation and supportive policies, adopting innovative technologies, enhancing green infrastructure, developing human capital, increasing public participation and environmental awareness, expanding smart environmental management systems, improving environmental information and monitoring systems, and promoting intersectoral collaboration in urban management.
Conclusion:. It can serve as a foundation for developing effective strategies to strengthen environmental governance, improve the efficiency of urban management, enhance stakeholder participation, and accelerate the achievement of sustainable development goals in cities.