Analysis of regional network flows in rural settlements of border areas)Case Study: Borderlands Settlement of Golestan Province)

Strengthening urban rural links with the aim of economic development and poverty reduction depends on local, regional, socio-economic and ecological conditions, and existing flows between urban-rural settlements and resulting regional network can create urban-rural links and lead not only to the establishment of spatial networks, but also to pave the way for the establishment of social networks. This could provide a suitable platform for integrated rural urban development. Using a descriptive-analytical method and logical deduction framework and selection of 20 border villages as a sample and viewing the international border as a spatial reality, this article aimed at analyzing spatial flows between rural and urban settlements in border areas of the Golestan province, through which we can explore the possibility for the establishment of a regional network based on links and integrated urban rural development. The results show that there is a direct correlation between flows and the level of development of rural settlements to form a regional network and the existing flows between urban and rural settlements in studied area within the framework of a regional network includes three local networks. In the west coast of this area, Gumish Tappeh city as a small town and village-city of Simin Shahr and surrounding villages have formed a local network (based on the village system of Simin Shahr). On the eastern coast of the Madarshahr district in Gonband and Inche Borun city have formed a local network (based on the village system of Inche Borun). And the middle areas of the city of Aq Qala and the village of Anbar Olum and the surrounding villages have formed another local network (based on Anbar Olum village system). A local network is forming in the westernmost part of the studied area including Gonbad City and its villages (Dashli Borun village). Keywords: Regional Network, Local Network, Rural System, Turkmansahra, Rural-Urban Development