Elucidate counter-urbanization process in Isfahan metropolitan area

Counter-urbanization has been defined with many definitions in research literature as increasing of the small town population in the process of urban expansion and development. This study investigates the counter-urbanization process in Isfahan metropolitan area based on an exploratory method using the population and immigration data, diurnal commuting, and the immigration motivators. The results show that, during different periods, population growth has been changed from the greater cities’ metropolitan area to the small towns. So that, there is less population growth near the main greater cities during the last decade. Regarding the immigration as well as migration effectiveness over the population, and immigration motivators, it can be said that the most important parameters of small towns’ expansion near the greater cities are better habitation opportunities, and finding better jobs. Furthermore, decreasing the diurnal commuting close to the greater cities shows that small towns, which are farther from the greater city, have more autonomy. In addition, based on polarization reversal model, and population development investigation in metropolitan areas, there are population development from the greater cities’ centre to the periphery area, which is leaded to decrease the population of the main greater city, and increase the population absorption in small towns. Consequently, the urbanization of Isfahan metropolitan area has entered to a counterurbanization phase.