Mohammad Raoof Heidari Far; Davood Mohseni Poor
Abstract
Development is a comprehensive process of economic, social, cultural and political activities that aims to continuously improve the lives of the entire population. The fair distribution of resources is one of the main pillars of development. Reducing spatial inequality and eliminating the economic and ...
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Development is a comprehensive process of economic, social, cultural and political activities that aims to continuously improve the lives of the entire population. The fair distribution of resources is one of the main pillars of development. Reducing spatial inequality and eliminating the economic and social dichotomy is considered as one of the main goals of development because the imbalance in development between different regions creates gaps and intensifies regional and spatial inequality, which is itself an obstacle to national development. Kermanshah province is not in favorable conditions in terms of the level of development, despite its much potential such as long border, centrality of the west, good climate and suitable soil and vegetation, surface and groundwater resources, abundant labor, rich civilization and historical, ancient monuments, tourist attractions, abundant natural and mineral resources and fossil resources. The main question of the research is why all the above potentials could not bring Kermanshah province to a standard level of development? What are the obstacles holding the province back from development and what is the solution to overcome them? Also, how much does each city in the province benefit from the amount of development and what is the relationship of underdevelopment with the distance from the center of the province? To answer the above questions, statistical and descriptive data and information were used and the obtained data was analyzed in Excel, SPSS and ARC GIS software based on statistical models and methods such as Spearman's correlation, hierarchical analysis model and Combined SWAT analysis, HD index. The results showed that the most important obstacle to the development of the province is the lack of budget allocation, the lack of infrastructural industries, and the lack of investment of the government and other non-governmental actors. The best strategy to deal with the existing conditions is the planning by the government and private sectors in order to revive closed and semi-closed factories, the planning for infrastructure facilities construction, allocating funds and attracting foreign investors.
Afsahin Mottaghi; Mosayeb Gharehbeygi
Abstract
Possibilities for improvements of water resources management exist because of Iran’s vast areas of cultivable lands, big rivers and suitable sites for construction of dams in Zagross and Alborz mountain ranges, extensive aquifers, and suitable climatic conditions for cultivation of different plants. ...
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Possibilities for improvements of water resources management exist because of Iran’s vast areas of cultivable lands, big rivers and suitable sites for construction of dams in Zagross and Alborz mountain ranges, extensive aquifers, and suitable climatic conditions for cultivation of different plants. In addition to existing exploitation of the water resources of the country, there is some capacity for physical development of up to 30 bcm of water resources for consumptive uses and up to 50 bcm for energy production, while still observing all economic, social, and environmental limitations. Cultural support for developments in water resources management includes traditions and social institutions that have adapted over time to different geographical conditions, especially in arid and semiarid regions. The best adapted of such institutions allow for effective water resource utilization. Political conditions conducive to developing water resources management include extensive citizen participation in public affairs, strengthening of the parliamentary system, creation of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), support of local management, and suitable political background for developing the water and agriculture sector. Existing installations and equipment include large and small reservoir dams, extensive irrigation and drainage networks, water transmission pipelines and pumping stations, treatment plants and water reservoirs, urban water distribution networks, and other facilities. Institutional capacity includes the possibility for experienced national experts to provide consulting and construction services in order to reduce foreign exchange expenses to a considerable extent.
Moharram Mashayekhi; Seyyed Hadi Zarghani; Omid Ali Kharazmi
Abstract
Extended Abstract
Introduction
In a world of international communications and interactions, cities are studied as geographical regions within an atmosphere of streams built upon direct connections between cities (Najati Hosseini, 2011). In other words, cities play a significant role in the global ...
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Extended Abstract
Introduction
In a world of international communications and interactions, cities are studied as geographical regions within an atmosphere of streams built upon direct connections between cities (Najati Hosseini, 2011). In other words, cities play a significant role in the global politics, economy, and the restoration of global management. In the globalization age, cities can be introduced as key players within the frameworks of decentralization policies and interactive actions between cities and provide the means for increasing interactions in areas including information technology, economy, society, and culture (Acuto, 2012). Therefore, in today’s world, the development and progress of cities highly depend on communications and interactions between them at a transnational level. In fact, modern cities are regarded as spatial-geographical territories that enter transnational interactions and assume international roles. The subject of urban diplomacy is a tool used for studying the role of urban geographical regions in international interactions. Urban diplomacy can be defined as institutions and processes through which cities serve the purpose of demonstrating their capacities and interests in one another in relation with other actors as well as within international politics (Pluijm & Melissen, 2007). During the past few years, Mashhad metropolitan area has managed to take a bold step in the direction of growth and development at both national and international levels through progress in areas such as industry, science, tourism, etc. The backgrounds and requirements for Mashhad metropolitan area to play a role within the urban diplomacy framework is an important subject which is examined in the present study.
Method
The present inquiry is an applied study conducted using the descriptive-analytical method. This study seeks to provide answers to the following question: How is the position of urban diplomacy in Mashhad metropolitan area with focus on transnational actions of municipality and universities? Data were collected using library studies and by referring to valid sources, along with field observations and gathering the comments of experts through interviews and questionnaires.
Results and Discussion
The analysis and examination of the findings show the active role of Mashhad municipality and universities in the context of urban diplomacy development. According to the results of SWOT model, the perceivable reality is that, given the high position of Mashhad metropolitan area in Iran and the Islamic world, the activities carried out under the present conditions with regards to urban diplomacy development of this city have not been acceptable and significant. There is a need for organized planning and more scientific actions, particularly in the municipality sector and universities. Based on the findings from the IE matrix (the internal-external factor assessment matrix) the urban diplomacy in Mashhad metropolitan area is currently at a conservative position (wo). The conservative position denotes that to develop the urban diplomacy in Mashhad metropolitan area, the internal weaknesses should be mitigated using external opportunities.
Conclusion
Considering its exceptional capacities in religious, historical, scientific, cultural, and geo-cultural areas, Mashhad metropolitan area can play an influential role in the context of urban diplomacy and particularly, religious and scientific diplomacies, both at regional and the Islamic world levels. However, the findings of the study point to a number of challenges faced by this city along this path. According to the results of SWOT model, despite the strengths (10 strengths) of Mashhad metropolitan area in the context of urban diplomacy development, there exist multiple weaknesses as well which are subject to systemic inadequacies. Moreover, regardless of the effective roles of universities and scientific centers in Mashhad in the field of international scientific interactions during the past few years, urban diplomacy development in this city requires making use of opportunities, esp. efficient planning and policymaking in the area of municipality and universities’ transnational interactions. As a result, Mashhad metropolitan area can rely on increasing the transnational interactions of municipality and universities and making use of external opportunities to mitigate its internal weaknesses in line with urban diplomacy development.
