Gray-Fuzzy Analysis of Development Indicators in Rural Settlements of Border Areas: A Case Study of Sub-districts of Baneh County in Iran

This study aimed at explaining the extent of rural development in Baneh border County. It was an applied research, conducted in a descriptive-analytical method, relying on documents and desk studies and using Fuzzy and Gray Techniques. The statistical population included all the rural areas of Baneh County that were examined and analyzed under 59 components. The study results indicated a general deprivation of the county as a whole, so that even the most benefited sub-district in this county (with a factor of 0.35) was far away from a moderate normal level of development. The results also showed that the distribution of resources and rural facilities in the county did not follow any regular pattern and regulations, while the areas near the borders were even more deprived in terms of the rural development, compared to other studied areas. Finally, it was suggested that the indicators of communication, health, education and infrastructure, respectively, with the least amount of access in the county might be prioritized in planning policies.