نشریه جغرافیا و توسعه ناحیه ای
سال سوم شماره 1 (پیاپی 4، بهار و تابستان 1384)

This paper studies the effect of ecocity on coastal city development. It shows that leading coastal cities toward development which is in equilibrium with nature necessarily needs an approach which entails a reduction of the pressure of city development in the coastal areas. Upon dealing with the problems of city development in the coastal area, the damages caused by lack of attention of city builders to the delicate and fragile coastal area and the conditions governing the interaction of land and sea areas are highlighted. It is then shown that ecocity can have positive impact on the development of coastal cities because it takes special local conditions into account. The evidence and experiences of successful cities in the world indicate the importance of this pattern in planning and designing coastal cities. After enumerating the advantages of this approach, some factors influencing the optimal development of the coastal city of Babolsar are analysed. The results of this research show that by employing factors such as reduction in ecological footprint around the river of Babolsar, diversification of activities in city areas, vertical development in the old parts of the city and its suburbs, and the raising of the social economic status of the citizens, the present problems of the city of Babolsar will be resolved.

This paper explores the relationship between winter droughts in Sistan and Baluchestan province and north hemisphere circulation patterns described as Teleconnection Pattern (TP). Statistical correlations significant at 0.01 and 0.05 levels were calculated for winter Standard Precipitation Index (SPI) of region and other major stations, contemporaneous seasonal northern teleconnections and MEI indices values. TP accounted for 55% of SPI variance over the region. In drought conditions (SPI

Suburbanization is one of the problems which has currently challenged the modern city system in most developing countries. Based on a report issued by the global organizations of the housing center of the UN, one sixth of the world are suburbanites. Estimates show that due to urbanization trend and increasing urban poverty, suburbanization will double within three decades in future. Under this wave Iran accommodates a considerable population of suburbanites who will jeopardize not only the city system but also the sovereignty of the country if a rational policy is not adopted. One of the signs for suburban development in macro cities like Mashhad is the illegal and hasty housing constructions. They challenge the administration of these cities and lack necessary stability due to ignoring technical and engineering principles. Due to tectonic nature of the region and its seismic precedent, the occurrence of a human disaster is predicted

EI Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is an important teleconnection pattern of Southern Hemisphere. Although a significant difference between temperature and precipitation of various parts of the globe has been reported during warm and cold phases of ENSO, the response of local climates to ENSO is not uniform and happens with complex lag times. In this paper all precipitation records of Iran during the last half century have been analyzed by employing a linear regression model fitted to precipitation time series and Multivariate ENSO Index (MEI). The analysis showed that there is generally a positive relationship between ENSO and precipitation in Iran in October, November and June, especially in its eastern parts.

This paper aims to analyse the survival trend of the center of Mashhad by focusing on urbanization policy at the age of globalization. It emphasizes urbanization or reurbanization vs suburbanization in which internal development overrides external development and city centers are adopted as work centers. The results of a survey of the revival trend of the center of Mashhad city, especially after the Islamic Revolution (1979-1986), reveal two direct and indirect interferences with various plans and different goals. The direct interference comes from government dependent organizations (Khorassan Housing Company) and quasi-governmental centers (municipalities) which confiscate owners’ land properties by employing development plans and legal articles. They change regulations, functions, density and definitions of macro size commercial projects and thus gain the economic benefits resulting from the revival. It is in contradiction with the new and aforementioned policies of urbanization which limit internal motor movement and favor sustaining present residents, activities and local involvement. The indirect interference stems from ignoring the regulations for detailed plans by municipalities. The unwanted economic capacity brought about by the pressure of the development provides the background for non-local investors. The benefits incurred by development are imposed along with congestion, cramming and ecological pollution. Safeguarding the rights of residents by improving the laws of land property ownership and having a comprehensive rather than limited view of large scale economic projects by following the principles of land function provides the solution for the sustainable development of central limits of Mashhad.

Investigating management practiced on watersheds is necessary. This study explores successful and unsuccessful mechanical and biological practices by comparing watershed conditions and sediments before and after their management. Results show a 35% observed decrease of sediment in watershed area, depending mostly on mechanical practices which accommodate gabions, dams and biological practices. Positive and negative effects of these practices are also addressed.

This paper is based on a field study in the rural area of Zahedan. It shows that the conventional functions of rural areas have changed due to the extension of border exchange and domination of Zahedan urban center. Agriculture is drawn away from the need of the people. So the rural area is going to have a dormitory role. The income earned from commercial activities is a basic element in rural economy. However, since trade has not been organized suitably in these areas, urban traders constitute a commercial system based on subsidized goods allocated to rural residents for their survival by government. The residents, therefore, import consumption goods and agricultural materials. This import weakens the economic base of the region and plays a negative role in its development.

Due to its suitable water resources the southern sedimentary soil of Binalood posses an appropriate position for settlements, urban areas and their development. The construction of ducts starting next to the head of conical sediments and extending to plains has particularly played an effective role in the exploitation of water resources. Due to existence of favorable soil at the base of conical sediments, agriculture has developed a lot and the villagers have embarked on plowing lands and agricultural operations even in the direction of the main neck of the cone. As a result of these operations, especially their intensity in the recent decade, the instability of all levels of conical sediments has increased and given way to natural disasters such as the water erosion of soil, torrential mud and other dynamic activities. This paper surveys an important sedimentary cone at Binalood flanks, Garineh Neyshabour, as an example for the instability at the levels of sedimentary cones. It aims at (1) classifying the levels phonomologically and geomorphologically, and (2) finding the relationship between human activities, particularly at rural communities, and the intensity of instability at the levels

A Survey of the economic conditions in the rural areas of Shirvan indicates the imbalanced distribution of agricultural land and income among rural families. The smallness of the average land belonging to all families in this city reduces their income to the lowest level among the rural families in Iran. This fact pinpoints economic problems as the root of high immigrating rural population. The manner in which services are offered and how various servicing projects are implemented intensify rural immigration. The rate of housing shortage in the last decade in rural areas shows a decreasing trend. The flourishing of housing constructions on the one hand and the immigration of rural population on the other have influenced the decreasing rate of housing in these areas.

Masouleh, a small and ancient tourist town, is located in a mountainous and forested area in western part of Guilan province in northern Iran. The altitude of the town, which is recorded as a national heritage, is 1050 meters above sea level. Because of its uniqueness, Masouleh has also been recorded by UNESCO. During tourist seasons, this town receives a considerable number of domestic as well as international tourists. Natural hazards such as 1998 flood adversely affected the number of tourists visiting this area. The paper aims to analyze the main factors contributing to the 1998 flood in Masouleh studied by the present researcher in 2001. Through a field work, the possible climatic, geomorphologic and human factors associated with the 1998 flood were explored. The results showed that human factor was the most crucial. From a morphological point of view, the area is mainly covered with glacial sediments, therefore, if proper steps are not taken, we would face severe floods in near future.

The nomads of Iran, with their special manner of life, have always played an efficient and determining role since past times. According to the census in 1377 (1998), they comprise only 2.11 percent of the population of the country. With the exception of Kurdistan, this small group scatters all over the country in 27 provinces. Asalem is geographically divided into two different but interrelated parts. The inhabitants of the first part who live in plateaus and along coasts are involved in cultivation, with a small group practicing gardening and residing in permanent habitats. The second group, living in mountains and mountain-foots, are involved in animal livestock breeding. The results of this field research shows that 23.5 percent of the families in Asalem are comprised of livestock breeders whose life is based on nomadism and movement from one area to another. These semi-nomads could be studied in terms of Asalem tribes consisting of Teireh, Tayefeh, Dadazouah and Kouch.

Acid rain has become a big problem for urban areas during recent decades. Acid rain originates from high concentration of air pollutants including man made or artificial and natural ones in the atmosphere. As the biggest religious city in Iran, Mashhad also suffers from this problem. In this investigation sample rains collected during autumn 2002 and spring 2003 were analyzed. The results show that concentration of different ions (SO4 -2, NO2-, NO3-, and NH4-) is higher than normal. By employing the concentration of ions and average precipitation in Mashhad, the amount of wet acid deposition was calculated. Based on this calculation, the rate of acid that comes to the ground due to the rainfall is more than 24 Kg/h. Unfortunately, we have no access to any critical load map for our terrain of interest to estimate the hazard. A comparison of the wet deposition amount in Mashhad and North Wales in the UK, however, shows that the wet deposition of acids in Mashhad is nearly the same as Wales, a very polluted area in UK. If we assume that the amount of dry deposition is similar to wet deposition we can get an idea about the amount acid that comes to the ground during each year. The results of this research, therefore, call for paying more attention to Mashhad environmental affairs.