Evaluting the development level of rural areas in Koohrang County

A better understanding of geographic phenomena and scientific comprehending of geographical locations requires comprehensive information about these areas. Also, the awareness of the spatial distribution and development levels is the prerequisite of plans and programs of rural development. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the development level of rural areas in Koohrang County. Research population was selected among rural areas in Koohrang County which were over ten households (132 villages). Data were collected and designed from the statistical yearbook of Koohrang County in 2011. In this study, a combination method of VIKOR-AHP was used to measure level of development in villages. In addition, in order to determine the optimal distribution of indices, the Gini coefficient was used. Data processing was conducted using MATLAB7.10 and Expert Choice software. Results showed that the highest degree of development (0.994) belonged to the village of "Castle of Ali-Abad" and the village of "Dezak-Cheshmeh" had a lower degree of development (0.005). Moreover, results indicated that there was the unfavorable development in the study area (with average of 0. 217 in the range 0-1) in a way that most of the villages (21.46%) with 53.39% of the population in the area were completely undeveloped. Furthermore, the results based on Gini coefficient and coefficient of variability revealed that the conventional indices of rural development werent distributed properly. Therefore, it is necessary that a special review and reconsider to determine the main centers of the service based on a hierarchical system of settlements.