The location of high-order service settlements based on cooperative evaluation technique in Mashhad County

Despite all attractions of social participation in most parts of the rural development, due to the lack of practical approaches, it has just remained an advertising slogan. One of the necessities of rural development is the execution of plans which enjoy maximum social acceptance. One of these plans is locating and equipping high-order service settlements. Using an operative process including environmental and social analysis, the writer has first identified the suitable settlements in terms of environmental statuses. Then, by means of cooperative evaluation technique, fifty four high-order settlements were selected from among five cities and three hundred thirty nine villages with a population more than twenty families. In the end, based on both law and social acceptance, the writer, has determined the centrality level of those fifty four settlements as follows: two strong systems including: Mshhad and Mashhad Gholi. Five weak systems, including: Torghabeh, Shandiz, Razaviye and Toos. Five strong collections, including: seventeen medium and weak collection, twelve strong areas and fourteen weak areas.