Evaluating the Objective and Subjective Effects of Annexation of Nourabad Villages to the City in Lorestan Province, Iran: A Case Study

Rapid urban population growth of Iran in recent decades, has expanded physical boundaries of cities and annexation of rural settlements around the cities within the formal boundaries of cities. The annexation and integration of surrounding villages in the city, according to the spatial and temporal conditions has unique features and effects. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the social, economic, environmental, and spatial effects of annexation of four villages of Kazem Abad, Karim Abad, Khalifa, and Khani Abad to Nurabad City in Lorestan Province. To achieve the objectives of this study we used the results of the general census of population and housing, satellite images, and data obtained from household surveys using a researcher-made questionnaire. The results show that the adjunction of villages to cities is a complex, multi-dimensional and multi-stage process, which according to spatial and temporal conditions need specific measures. Evaluating the subjective effects of annexation show that in most indicators, the conditions of local residents have improved after the annexation. Among the components of factor analysis, four components of physical condition of village, the level of production and motivation in agriculture and livestock activities, access to facilities and infrastructures are the most important predictors for the level of satisfaction from annexation of village to city.