Evaluating the Function of Medium Size Cities in Regional Population and Economic Equilibrium, (Case Study: Fasa City- Fars Province)

The un-equilibrium and unfairness in the residence system and the necessity of achieving regional development and equilibrium lead to an increasing attention to medium size cities as a favourite strategy. Although regional development textbooks emphasize on the role of medium size cities as a panacea for achieving the regional equal development، it is also necessary to study and evaluate the role and function of these cities. Therefore، this research is to answer the question “Is Fasa as a medium city able to play an effective role in the equilibrium of population and economy of Fars region?” The research is applicable and the method is analytical and descriptive. We used documents and field methods (questionnaire) for data collection and in order to process the data، the regional analytical models are used. Our results show that the Fasa city has a significant role in the regional population equilibrium so that removing it would cause to an increase in non-equilibrium. The evaluation of the economic function shows that the city has a strong service role and it could be role in the economic equilibrium and development of the province. We also study the referring pattern of people to the city and find out that the Fasa city has an effective role in providing various requirements of surrounding counties. Our results altogether show the effective function of the Fasa city in regional equilibrium.