Spatial and Geographic Analysis of Kerman Villages for Sustainable Development using GIS system

Kerman possesses over 11,000 villages out of which 5,930 are inhabited and have different population. These villages have scattered spatial and geographical distribution and diverse service provision patterns.Grade 1 villages numbering 85, and occupying %1.43 of all villages of Kerman contain16.42 percent of the population of the province, while grade 4 villages numbering 4,133 and covering 69 percent of the villages of the province contain just 19.3 percent of the total population.In regards to services, Kerman villages face improper distribution. Out of 5,930 villages, 204 are classified as focal villages enjoying the highest service point based on Guttman scale model.The improper spatial and geographical distribution of villages is due to different privilege enjoyment of assorted areas of the province. Northern, western and central areas of the province are among privileged places comprising most of the focal and populous villages, while southern and eastern areas are considered among less privileged regions with lower population and service distribution levels.Sustainable development becomes possible when spatial and geographical distribution is optimized and this does not occur unless the privilege and service enjoyment levels become optimal.Using GIS (Geographic Information System), the authors aim to depict the improper spatial and geographic distribution and diverse service privilege levels of Kerman by grading the villages which prepares them for sustainable development.