Analysis of Sustainable Livelihood Capitals in Rural Settlements (Case Study: Damavand County)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Geography, Faculty of Geographical Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.

2 Sociology Department, Faculty of Social Sciences, Allameh Tabatabai University, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Geographical environments offer different potentials in different fields and the field of livelihoods, and it is important to pay attention to this in local and environmental planning. By understanding this issue, we can conclude that space and place are not separate from social and economic systems and should be considered in geographical analyses. The research studied sustainable livelihood assets in rural areas of Damavand from a geographical perspective. The research was quantitative and based on library resources. Determining factors and weighting indicators from the FANP model and ranking settlements in the VIKOR model were carried out. The analyses were also based on spatial statistics. In rural areas, the close distance between settlements has been considered an advantage for enjoying or maintaining livelihood assets. These results further illustrate the pattern of concentration and formation of rural settlements in our country. The concentration of settlements in the middle and plain areas has led to the enjoyment of human and physical assets and has created favorable conditions for the exploitation of natural resources. On the other hand, there is a negative relationship between the enjoyment of economic assets by residents and geographical distance. In rural areas, the majority of economic activities are animal husbandry and agriculture. These economic activities require flat and large lands, and there is no doubt that the concentration of settlements in one location will cause a shortage of these opportunities in settlements. Adapting from the research findings and the fact that "geography" always emphasizes the study of phenomena about place and space, this understanding has been given less attention in geographical research. Rural settlements and the conditions governing them are a serious challenge to the spatial planning and management system in realizing development, which makes the necessity of recognizing geographical spaces and environments clearer.
 
Extended Abstract
1-Introduction
Geographical environments offer different potentials and patterns in different fields, especially in the field of livelihood, which is important to pay attention to in local and environmental planning. Considering this issue, it was believed that space and place are not separate from socio-economic systems and should be considered in geographical analyses. In our country, Iran, as is evident, for decades, the "sustainable livelihood" approach has been considered as the main basis for scientific research and programs to achieve levels of livelihood and development. However, what is very important is that most research has only focused on the indicators and dimensions of this issue. This is while recognizing the dimensions and studying its spatial-geographic behavior for proper recognition is an undeniable necessity. The leading research studied and recognized sustainable livelihood assets in the rural area of Damavand County from a geographical perspective.
 
2-Materials and Methods
The research is quantitative in terms of its applied purpose and terms of the approach to the research implementation method and the nature of the data. On the other hand, since the research studies the manner and extent of the relationship between variables, the research is also considered a descriptive research. In the research, the study of documents related to the subject was used to collect and study theoretical literature, research background, and research metrics. In the research, 28 indicators were selected to investigate the spatial behavior of sustainable livelihood capital in the rural areas under study. In developing the desired indicators, an effort was made to cover the nature and purpose of the study on the one hand and to be measurable on the other. Determining the main factors and weighting the indicators was done through the FANP model and ranking settlements in the VIKOR model. The analyses were also based on the hot spot statistic and spatial autocorrelation.
 
3- Results and Discussion
According to the results of the research, the indicators of the ratio of people between 15-64 years old, the total employment rate, and the ratio of residential land ownership in the rural areas studied had the highest weight importance. On the other hand, the indicators of the average slope of the village, the distance from the nearest river or water canals, and the distance from the nearest bank facility payment center had the lowest weight importance. However, after determining the weight of the indicators, its score was obtained for each of the rural areas studied in the VIKOR model. This study shows that the level of livelihood sustainability for each of the rural areas studied is at a very low level, and only 9 percent of the points are in a stable state. On the other hand, the leveling of livelihood sustainability levels in rural areas indicates an unbalanced and unequal pattern of rural settlements. According to the results of this section, the concentration of settlements in rural areas has resulted in the enjoyment of human, physical, and natural assets. Thus, the concentration of settlements has led to the concentration of population and services and has created favorable conditions for the exploitation of natural resources. In contrast, there is a negative autocorrelation between the residents' ownership of economic assets and the geographical distance of settlements from each other.
 
4- Conclusion
Geographical spaces have many mysteries that require real understanding and intelligent planning. In such circumstances, by reflecting on the current situation, two issues can be identified. First, the increasing trend of urban settlements and urbanization or the expansion of cities has raised concerns about their effects, results, and changes on rural settlements. Second, rural settlements are not like in the past, but today are undergoing rapid socio-economic and environmental transitions that have brought new opportunities and challenges to these areas. Rural settlements and the conditions governing them are a serious challenge to the spatial planning and management system in realizing development, which makes the necessity of recognizing geographical spaces and environments clearer. Rural areas of Damavand County have also not been inevitable of these developments in recent years due to the growth of urbanization in Tehran and other social and economic developments. In this context, as it seems obvious, recognizing and understanding geographical spaces and managing rural challenges and issues are strategic steps in the development of rural spaces. The overall outcome of the research confirms the issue of understanding geographical spaces and territorial development. Unlike the subject of "geography," in which phenomena are studied about place and space, this understanding has received less attention in rural planning analyses and research. Because space and place are not separate from social and economic analyses and assessments, the study and understanding of these factors can be used to determine new measures for development.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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