Network Analysis of Rural Participation in Rural Historical Projects: A Case Study of Shahkooh Solfa, Gorgan

Due to their extensive links with the natural and historical context, rural settlements acquire many historical, cultural, natural, architectural values and hence are considered as a part of national capital. The image and physical structure of the ‘village’ has been adversely affected by the influx of technology, culture and images of the ‘city’ and a loss of cultural and indigenous values among the inhabitants of these settlements. However, a part of these settlements has endure partly due to the strength and architectural values embedded in their built environment.
As a result, the physical development plans require a vision that takes into consideration the historical value of rural settlements. Housing Foundation of Islamic Revolution has been involved in identifying rural settlements with historical and cultural values and implementing improvement projects for them. In this process, the participation of villagers can facilitate the implementation and ensure the success of the project. Adopting a network analysis approach, this study analyzes the participation of rural people in improvement projects in settlements with historical and cultural values. The aim of this study is to evaluate the participation of villagers in the development of valuable historical fabric of Shahkooh Sofla as one of the target villages for tourism.
The network analysis approach is adopted because of the importance and role of social relations and conflicts. Data was obtained through document review, field visits, questionnaire and interviews with local people. Using the snowball method, 43 people were selected for this study, who were involved in, and exerted influence on, the village affairs. At the next step, a questionnaire was prepared asking respondents the question of "which of the following people have tried to facilitate the project and cooperate with you? In the last step, data was analyzed using UCINET software.
Density index determines the ratio of existing links to the ones that are supposed to exist. This index in terms of confidence among the villagers was 0.6124 or 61.24% and in terms of participation was 0.1977 or 19.77%. This shows that more than 60 percent of villagers have confidence in each other, while their participation is very low and more people act based on their personal decision and not group decisions. The reciprocity index shows the ratio of reciprocal links to the ones that are supposed to exist. This index in terms of confidence among the villagers was 0.5868 or 58.68% and in terms of participation was 0.5727 or 57.27%. The transitivity index in terms of confidence among the villagers was 76.79% and in terms of participation was 53.03%.
The results indicate an appropriate level of trust between villagers and at the same time very low level of cooperation and participation among them. The highest level of trust and cooperation was emerged within social groups. A greater public participation, cooperation and assistance is a necessary prerequisite for the implementation of the project. Many of the villagers are certainly willing to participate in the various stages of the project, but they assert that officials are not inclined to involve people and that most of the measures incorporated in the project has been already planned without public participation. Given that the planning and implementation of the development project lack any provision for the participation of local people, it cannot lead to sustainable development. Adopting network approach seems necessary in these projects.