Role of Border Towns in Globalization and Regional Development; Case Study: Border Towns of Khorasan Razavi Province

Urbanization of the world and globalization of the cities are the two major issues of the Third Millennium. Despite negative consequences of globalization, all cities plan to join the world network of cities to enjoy advantages of globalization. Iranian cities, too, face serious problems for globalization because of various factors such as the delay in establishing links with the world economy, weak scientific literature of globalization of cities, unstable foreign policy and political tensions between Iran and the United States, unilateral U.S. sanctions and consequently sluggish foreign investment in Iran, Internet access and communications restrictions, weak financial, banking, and transport infrastructures, and absence of enforceable rules and regulations. The problem is more palpable in the border towns because of their special geopolitical conditions. The majority of cities suffering a serious geographical solitude in the past, have began today to play a pivotal role in the course of development from that point to all other points across the country. These towns are therefore, after removing their infrastructural, management, legal, and cultural problems to be in full conformity with the procedure of globalization. This study intends to present solutions for better use of the existing chances beyond the national borders (8336 kilometers of joint border with Afghanistan and Turkmenistan) to serve as the consumer market for over 50 million people in Central Asia and Afghanistan. For research purposes, first, globalization of Iran’s border towns in Khorasan Razavi Province (Bajgiran, Lotfabad, Sarakhs and Taybad) was analyzed according to the existing theories. We used questionnaire and interview techniques to have an appropriate panorama of local capabilities and capacities on performance of urban gates and nodes in regional development. Finally the following suggestions were presented: amending rules and regulations, promoting the role of management system, amending and improving customs laws and formalities, investment in urban infrastructures and presenting appropriate cultural and judiciary ground for attracting more foreign investment in these regions.