فصلنامه برنامه ریزی فضایی (جغرافیا)
سال چهاردهم شماره 4 (پیاپی 55، زمستان 1403)

Tourism plays a crucial role in rural development, serving as a valuable approach for economic growth. Effective development in this sector requires a thorough understanding of both internal and external factors to ensure stability. The semi-arid regions of Iran present unique conditions for the advancement of tourism.

 This research aimed to identify optimal strategies for developing sustainable rural tourism in Iran's semi-arid areas, specifically focusing on Abadeh County. The study analyzed internal and external factors to provide actionable insights.

The research employed a quantitative, descriptive-analytical approach through surveys. The statistical population consisted of experts from various departments in Abadeh County with a sample size of 50 participants determined using the snowball sampling method. Data were collected using a researcher-designed questionnaire that included internal and external factors. Analyses were conducted using SWOT, AHP, and VIKOR models.

The results indicated that the key strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats affecting sustainable rural tourism development included: the spirit of ethnocentrism and collectivism in villages (final weight: 0.388); a lack of tourist accommodations in villages (final weight: 0.427); the potential for attracting private sector investment (final weight: 0.375); and the challenges posed by drought and water scarcity in recent years (final weight: 0.523). The most effective strategy identified for the development of sustainable rural tourism in semi-arid areas was diversification, particularly focusing on attracting investment and enhancing tourism branding. Additionally, the VIKOR model identified the villages of Bidak and Firuzi as top priorities for implementing effective diversification strategies in tourism development.

The significance of knowledge-based firms in transitioning to a knowledge-based economy and fostering regional development has become increasingly evident to researchers and policymakers. Over the past decade, Iran has witnessed remarkable growth in knowledge-based firms supported by various financial and non-financial incentives from the government. However, research has largely overlooked the spatial patterns of distribution and concentration of these firms at both national and sub-national levels, as well as the factors driving their concentration in specific regions. Understanding these spatial patterns and centralizing forces is crucial for policymakers aiming to design effective strategies for the development of peripheral regions and establishment of a regional innovation system. This study aimed to analyze the spatial concentration of knowledge-based firms and the factors influencing this process. To measure spatial concentration, we employed global Moran’s I and Getis-Ord Gi* statistics, while Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression was used to identify determinants. The results indicated that the distribution of knowledge-based firms was predominantly concentrated in metropolitan areas with no significant clusters forming in marginal regions, which had not reaped the associated benefits. The centralizing forces of economies of scale and urbanization had played a pivotal role in this spatial concentration. Additionally, our findings revealed a low degree of specialization among knowledge-based firms. Finally, we presented policy implications aimed at providing incentives for the geographical redistribution of knowledge-based firms in less developed and peripheral regions, while also promoting regional specialization.

Groundwater and aquifers play a crucial role in sustaining human life and ecosystems, serving as vital sources for drinking water, agriculture, industry, and regulation of water and land systems. This study focused on Cham Anjir Basin representative of the Karkheh River to assess the impact of climate change on water resources. We utilized hydroclimatic data, including discharge, water levels, well discharge, number of wells, precipitation, temperature, and groundwater quality parameters, covering the statistical period from 1991 to 2020. To estimate the effects of climate change on water resources, we applied the output from the Lars-WG7 exponential microscale model for the two future periods of 2021-2040 and 2041-2060 under optimistic, realistic, and pessimistic scenarios. Our findings indicated significant increases in well withdrawals, temperature, Total Hardness (TH), Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), and sodium percentage in groundwater, alongside a significant decline in discharge. According to the HadCM3 model outputs, rainfall in the basin was projected to increase from 2021 to 2060 compared to the observed period (1991-2020). However, a decrease in rainfall was expected from 2041 to 2060 relative to the previous period (2021-2040). Discharge was anticipated to decline consistently from 2021 to 2060. The regression model relating discharge and precipitation suggested that groundwater levels would decrease during 2021-2060, while groundwater quality indicators (anions, cations, and electrical conductivity) were expected to rise. Given the reliance on groundwater due to limited surface water resources, the impacts of climate change on both the quality and quantity of groundwater were significant. Therefore, advancements in water management, technology, and education would be essential in mitigating the effects of climate change on groundwater resources.

Participation is a crucial indicator of sustainable rural development and political participation serves as a benchmark for the political development of societies. In rural areas with a substantial portion of the population, fostering political engagement is essential for achieving this goal at the national level. This research evaluated and analyzed the factors influencing political participation among the villagers of Lenjan Township. The study was applied in nature, employing a descriptive-analytical and survey-based methodology. Data collection involved both library research and field methods, specifically through the administration of a researcher-designed questionnaire. A total of 250 villagers over the age of 18, eligible to participate in elections, were surveyed using a simple random sampling method and interviews. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by experts and its reliability was measured using Cronbach's alpha, which yielded a score of 0.78. For data analysis, appropriate descriptive statistics (mean, percentage, graphs) and inferential statistics (one-sample t-test) were applied, alongside factor analysis using SPSS, Excel, and GIS software. The results indicated that the overall level of participation was higher than average with a mean score of 3.51. Among the various components of political participation, the "voting" aspect stood out with the highest average of 4.13. Factor analysis revealed that political awareness, media influence, social factors, and government performance were the most significant determinants of political participation, collectively accounting for 65.91% of the total variance. Additionally, correlation analysis showed no significant relationship between voting participation and individual characteristics, such as gender, age, marital status, and education.

Humans seek locations that offer a high quality of life, which is significantly influenced by environmental factors. Consequently, these factors play a crucial role in determining real estate values. This research aimed to explore the extent to which spatial variations in residential property prices in Tehran were affected by ecological factors. Data were collected from various sources, including real estate websites, meteorological synoptic stations, air quality monitoring stations, a GIS file of Tehran's land use, and the Information and Communication Technology Organization of Tehran Municipality. The data were integrated into a Geographic Information System (GIS), focusing on 400 points representing the geometric centers of neighborhoods in Tehran. These points served as the basis for analytical calculations with information gathered for all relevant variables. Using ArcGIS software and Spatial Analyst Tools, we generated the necessary data. The findings indicated a decreasing desirability of ecological factors from the north to the south of the city corresponding to a decline in housing prices. The correlation coefficient of +0.71 demonstrated a strong relationship between housing prices and desirability of ecological factors. Notably, there was approximately a threefold difference in average housing prices between District 1 (the northernmost district) and District 20 (the southernmost). In conclusion, despite the influence of political and economic factors and the profound changes brought about by modernity, the socio-economic gradient from north to south in Tehran remained aligned with the gradient of ecological desirability, suggesting a shift from natural environmental qualities to the role of capital in shaping real estate values.