Measuring livelihood capital of rural settlements (1996-2020) Case: Takab region (West Azerbaijan)

One of the most important and effective contexts for advancing development goals in rural areas is recognizing the living conditions of households, their access to various livelihoods, and geographical factors affecting livelihoods; With this view and to evaluate the role of various livelihood assets in the sustainability of a rural area, the present study has investigated the role of livelihood capital in rural settlements in Takab area. This research is based on the mixed research method of exploratory mixed research design. According to the study, capital in the form of 3 main sections of environmental capital (mines, tourism capacity, crops, and horticultural products, livestock products (dairy), pastures, beekeeping products), human capital (level of education, desire of families to study Children and carpet weaving) and social capital (public participation and empathy, social security, ethnic diversity, and peaceful living) were categorized. The results of the research show that the study area has favorable conditions in terms of environmental, human, and social capital, and the main issue in this regard is how to use these resources. Mines as an environmental asset have not only not contributed much to the livelihood of the villagers, but have also destroyed the surrounding environment, changed land use, and destroyed infrastructure (roads). According to the findings, the reason for such consequences is mostly due to the non-participation of people in the use of environmental potential. Physical and financial capital did not have suitable conditions in the study area, the main reason for which is the distance of Takab from large and medium cities in the region, as well as the special geographical and mountainous conditions of the region.Keywords: Sustainable Livelihood, livelihood capital, rural settlements, Takab County.