Functional Assessment of Development Orientations with Emphasis on Regional Equality (Case Study: West Azerbaijan Province)

Today, achieving sustainable growth and development is one of the major issues for countries, especially in developing countries. In Iran, although regional development programs have been developed with the aim of growth and development and creating a balance for specific and deprived regions, but for various reasons, they have achieved less of their ultimate goals. Due to its unique features and potentials, West Azerbaijan Province is one of the important and strategic regions that is of great importance in regional and national development planning and programs. In this regard, this study seeks to evaluate and analyze the characteristics of regional development in this province. First, with the leveling of regional development, the position of the counties in terms of development has been determined, and the results show that there is regional inequality in the development process of the province. Then, based on the characteristics of the spatial and geographical structure of the province, the development of counties with an intra-regional approach in the form of proposed areas have been evaluated and analyzed. The findings indicate that the south of the province is in a more favorable situation in terms of development indicators and in contrast to most deprived counties are located in the north of the province. Finally, considering the current situation and in accordance with the potentials and limitations of the regions, suggestions have been made for balanced regional development.