Document Type : Research Paper
Author
PhD in Geography and Urban Planning, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz
Abstract
Understanding the causes and determinants of development and underdevelopment has emerged as a crucial focus within the realm of social and economic studies over the past five decades. Regional development, as a fundamental requirement for progress, encompasses diverse dimensions aimed at achieving regional equilibrium, reducing infrastructural disparities, and addressing structural and territorial gaps. This developmental model not only exhibits exceptional efficiency in terms of resource management and harnessing regional potential, but also strives to narrow or eradicate disparities within and between regions through the spatial organization of socio-economic and structural activities, capitalizing on local capacities unique to each region. This particular study seeks to conduct a comprehensive structural analysis of the drivers influencing regional development in the Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. Employing an applied theoretical framework, the research employs a descriptive-analytical survey approach. Data and information were gathered through an extensive examination of relevant academically-sound sources alongside field observations, including interviews and questionnaires. Quantitative analysis, employing cross-impact analysis and Micmac software, was employed to analyze the collected data. Twenty key factors were thus extracted and identified as crucial drivers influencing regional development in the province of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari.
Introduction
Regional development is driven by the objectives of reducing socio-economic disparities among different regions and promoting spatial decentralization, ultimately aiming for sustainable socio-economic progress. By recognizing and understanding the factors that contribute to regional development and formulating plans for achieving sustainable development, regions can take essential steps towards closing the gap between them. These disparities manifest as a reflection of various elements, such as environmental factors, political economy, shortcomings in spatial planning systems, insufficient integrated territorial management, and a lack of coordination among responsible organizations involved in spatial and regional development. The Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, encompassing a significant territorial extent in Iran, benefits from extensive capacities within economic, social, cultural, and natural resource domains, indicating a favorable environment for growth, development, and overcoming challenges. Nonetheless, despite numerous programs designed and implemented to foster infrastructure development and enhance social services, unfavorable conditions persist in major economic, social, and infrastructure indicators. Inefficient management practices, operational inadequacies, and insufficient attention towards harnessing the province's potentials have led to diverse issues and challenges impeding its development. Consequently, it becomes evident that regional imbalances and the neglect of development drivers within the province are reflected across economic, social, cultural, and infrastructure indicators. Thus, recognizing the influential factors and drivers that underpin regional development in the province and establishing a solid foundation for regional development planning based on these drivers becomes critically significant. Such an approach serves as a gateway to addressing and alleviating the problems and shortcomings associated with underdevelopment and deprivation. Thus, the primary objective of this research centers on conducting a structural analysis of the drivers shaping regional development. Specifically, it seeks to address the following question: What are the key driving forces influencing regional development in the Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province?
Methodology
The present research adopts an "applied-theoretical" approach in terms of its purpose, while employing a "descriptive-analytical" methodology that aligns with its nature and methodological framework. The research methodology for this study combines both quantitative-survey and qualitative techniques, in accordance with the research objectives. In addition to gathering insights from experts through the Delphi method, documentary analysis of various sources such as the provincial spatial planning document, reports, plans, and development plans of the province has been utilized as part of the research methodology. The statistical population for this study consists of academic experts, professionals, and institutional-organizational managers who possess ample knowledge and experience in the field of regional development within the study area. These experts were purposefully selected and included in the research sample, following the method of purposive sampling. To analyze the structure of regional development drivers in the Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, a total of 21 academic experts, institutional-organizational experts, and managers were chosen as representative samples. Selection criteria were based on the experts' expertise, willingness to participate, as well as the complexity of the methods, stages, and implementation conditions associated with the Delphi technique. This study encompasses various dimensions and drivers of regional development, including economic, social, infrastructural, environmental, agricultural, and institutional-organizational aspects, in addition to urban and rural development considerations. These drivers were prioritized based on the expert opinions' importance, and the identification of key drivers was accomplished through the utilization of the Cross-impact analysis method along with Micmac software.
Discussion and Results
Aligned with the primary objective of the present research, the structural analysis and identification of key drivers that impact regional development in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province were carried out using the Cross-impact analysis (CIA) method. This method facilitated the identification and assessment of the influence exerted by these drivers on the region. Through a comprehensive analysis that involved examining the relationship between variables, assessing the stability and instability of the studied system, constructing a matrix of direct influences (MDI), a matrix of indirect influences (MII), ranking variables, and calculating the coefficient of displacement for each variable under varying conditions, a total of 20 factors were extracted and selected as the key drivers influencing the regional development of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari provinces. Table 1 presents the ranking of drivers affecting the regional development of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, based on their direct and indirect dependencies and influences.
Table 1. Key drivers influencing the regional development of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province
Code
Drivers
Final score
Rank
MDI
MII
MDI
MII
V1
Employment and labor market
227
226
1
1
V20
Human resource management and the use of local and expert manpower in the development management of the province
222
221
2
3
V54
Migration management (rural-urban and outside the province)
220
220
3
2
V49
Coordination and constructive inter-organizational interaction
216
212
4
4
V22
Coherence in social management of the province
211
209
5
5
V4
Deprivation policies and poverty reduction
203
202
6
6
V41
Development of infrastructure and urban and rural water supply networks
202
200
7
7
V39
Utilization of tourism capacities and tourism development infrastructures
200
196
8
9
V11
The optimal distribution system of investment and economic resources between different regions of the province
197
195
9
11
V51
The existence of comprehensive crisis management plans and programs
197
194
10
8
V12
Economic competitiveness at the national and transnational level
194
194
11
10
V60
Management of urban and rural population spatial distribution system
194
194
12
12
V55
Appropriate distribution of infrastructure, services, and balancing to the urban and rural residential network
192
193
13
13
V25
Protection, exploitation, and management of water resources (organizing and development of water resources, containment and transfer of surface water, and improvement of efficiency in exploitation of water resources)
191
190
14
17
V28
Management and exploitation of agricultural resources
191
190
15
15
V47
Development and equipping of infrastructures, and facilities related to the field of crisis management
189
189
16
14
V62
Resilience of settlements
187
187
17
18
V64
Evaluating the effects of urban and rural development plans
187
185
18
16
V33
Environmental and social management of water transfer projects
184
182
19
22
V34
Management of environmental hazards and pollution (polluting sources of water, soil, and air and the emerging phenomenon of dust storm with extra-regional origin)
181
178
20
19
Conclusions
The present study has been conducted with the primary objective of conducting a comprehensive analysis and identification of indicators and drivers that contribute to regional development in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. To achieve this goal, an examination of spatial planning and development documents specific to the province, as well as consultations with academic and organizational experts, were conducted. Through this process, a prioritization of 20 drivers was accomplished, highlighting the key drivers that significantly influence regional development. It is crucial to attain a correct comprehension of these key drivers within the development dimensions of the province in order to effectively implement regional development policies in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. By doing so, integrated management, sustainable planning, and collaboration at national and provincial levels can be fostered. This collaborative effort aims to overcome obstacles to development and capitalize on opportunities in alignment with the province's capabilities.
Keywords
- Structural Analysis
- Development
- Regional development
- Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province
- Regional Balance
Main Subjects
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