Dehyaries Challenges in Controlling Rural Construction in Mazandaran Province

Previous experiences indicate that rural buildings are highly vulnerable to earthquakes due to irregular layouts and unprincipled construction practices. Given the legal responsibilities of village heads in overseeing construction activities, this study investigates the challenges they face in managing rural development in Mazandaran Province. The statistical population consisted of 250 village heads from villages where the Hadi project had been implemented (N = 250). Based on the Krejcie and Morgan sampling table, a sample of 151 individuals was selected. Data were collected via a researcher-designed questionnaire, whose validity was confirmed by subject-matter experts and reliability verified through Cronbach’s alpha (exceeding 0.8). Findings reveal that unauthorized construction is widespread across the surveyed villages. Village heads encounter several obstacles, including a shortage of specialized personnel, inadequate compensation, and fragmented responsibilities. These challenges were categorized into six domains: social and educational, institutional and managerial, infrastructural and technological, administrative and political, economic and structural, and legal. The most critical issue identified was the lack of education and cultural awareness regarding proper construction practices, coupled with low levels of community engagement. The study underscores the necessity of a comprehensive strategy for supervising rural construction. Key recommendations include enhancing educational initiatives, increasing government financial support, upgrading infrastructure, implementing effective policies, reinforcing legal protections for village authorities, and fostering greater public participation. These insights offer valuable guidance for local policymakers and administrators striving toward sustainable rural development.