Spatial Arranging Pattern of Rural Settlements Based on Demographic System and Service Distribution: A Case Study of Esfarayen County of Iran

This research aimed at arranging spatial settlements in Esfarayen County of Iran. It was an applied research using demographic leveling techniques, service leveling, scalogram and hierarchical analysis. The research was conducted in a descriptive-analytical method. The required information was collected in a library method by the instrument based on secondary data of North Khorasan province of Iran (Statistics of 2011), during which 40 components were extracted and placed in different dimensions. The analysis of findings showed that among the 40 components surveyed in 157 inhabited villages of the county, only access to elementary school, mosque, Islamic Council, Rural Assistant Officer [Dehyar], Health House and telecommunication office was acceptable, and there was a strong deprived access to other services. Eventually, to balance the space and the best service in the county (proportionate to the demographic system, the role and the position of each village), a hierarchical system was suggested and this county was divided into three rural towns, seven rural sets and thirty rural areas.