Rethinking the Selseleh regional plan

Rural development programs are one of the country's development programs to improve living conditions of poor and low-income rural residents and to make them self-sufficient in the overall development process of the country. The goal of these programs is to change the social and economic structure of the rural community. Governments are the agent and executors in these programs. The Selseleh regional development project has been one of the most important rural development projects that has been done before the revolution in Alashtar region. Although the project has been one of the most important development projects before and even after the revolution, it has unfortunately remained unknown. In the present study, using the documentary approach, first the ambiguities of the present plan were dealt with and a clear and comprehensive picture was offered. Then, using qualitative research methods (interviews and observation), the effects of development projects in the Selseleh region and local people's opinions about the plan were reviewed. The results of the study show that Selseleh regional development plan, has had a profound impact on different aspects, especially in the field of education, health and development in that area. Given the experience of Selseleh regional development projects, it is understood that a plan can be formed via cooperating with people and working with them. Moreover, the planning can be done only at the local level. Therefore, we need a local planning, not only because planners at the national level cannot identify the needs of people at the local level, but also because the continuous cooperation of people in the development process is needed.