Socio-economic impact of rural development projects in Iran

Abstract

A pesar del aumento de la urbanizacion y la disminucion de la poblacion en las zonas rurales, muchos asentamientos rurales siguen siendo dinamicos y comprenden una parte considerable de la poblacion de los paises en desarrollo como Iran. La funcionalidad de las zonas rurales en el mantenimiento de la poblacion y las ocupaciones rurales dependen de la creacion de una infraestructura de prestacion de servicios. Despite the increase in urbanization and decline in population in rural areas, many rural settlements are still dynamic and comprise a sizable portion of the population of developing countries such as Iran. The functionality of rural areas in maintaining population and rural occupations depends upon the production of an infrastructure to provide services. This requires an organized planning and development process. One tool to provide suitable conditions in rural areas is a Rural Master Plan (RMP) that provides spatial-physical organization. This study analyzed the socio-economic impact of Rural Development Projects (RDP) in Iran. The methodology was descriptive and analytical. The data was based on field studies and a questionnaire filled out by respondents from sample villages. The target research population was the rural residents from the region surrounding the Amol County. The number participants responding to the questionnaires was determined using the Cochran formula (n = 260) and its reliability was determined by calculating Cronbach�s alpha coefficient (0.92) after conducting a pilot study. The results showed that a the RDP were successful in the improvement desire for staying in the village, the improvement rising land prices, participation status in rural construction projects, the improvement of access to agricultural inputs and markets for agricultural products and the improvement of foundation for measures for attract the participation villagers.