Socio-Economic Impact Assessment of Petrochemical Industry on Rural Areas: (Case Study: Emamzadeh Ebrahim and Saeedabad in Golpayegan)

The industrialization of the villages is widely recognized as a dynamic lever for rural development. Creating jobs, diversifying the rural economy, and reducing socioeconomic inequalities are the primary goals of industrialization of the countryside. Most research studies on the effects of rural industrialization have two main features: first, quantitative feature, and second, checking the economic effects (employment and income). Besides assessing the economic and environmental impacts of industry in the countryside, other effects, especially social impacts, should be evaluated in the short- and long-run. Therefore, in the present study, the socioeconomic and environmental impacts of petrochemical industry development in Imamzade Ebrahim and Saeedabad villages have been studied by qualitative method. This is an applied research. We used individual interviewing techniques, focused group discussion, and field observation for data collection. Also the obtained data were analyzed by thematic analysis method. Based on the research findings, introducing industries into the rural areas has led to positive effects such as low unemployment for rural residents, rising incomes of the villagers employed in the petrochemical industry, and the beneficial effects for some locals directly and indirectly. In addition to the above outcomes, some adverse effects are seen in villages such as the negative attitude of the local people toward introduction and establishment of new industries, displacement of native people due to the residence of some non-industrial workers in the region, the emergence of new sociocultural issues due to the presence of new people in the area, development of environmental problems, and the rural youth's reluctance to engage in traditional activities.