Document Type : Original Research
Authors
1
Master's student in rural development, Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, College of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University (TMU), Tehran, Iran.
2
Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, College of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University (TMU), Tehran, Iran.
3
Associate Professor, Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, College of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University (TMU), Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
Rural edifices exhibit a significant susceptibility to seismic events due to their irregular architectural configurations and non-adherence to established construction standards. Considering that village leaders bear the legal responsibility for supervising rural construction initiatives, this research seeks to explore the challenges they encounter in fostering sustainable rural development within Mazandaran Province, Iran. The study utilized a descriptive-survey methodology, with a statistical population comprising 250 village leaders from regions where the Hadi Plan has been enacted. Through the application of the Krejcie and Morgan sampling table, a sample of 151 individuals was extracted. Data collection was conducted via a questionnaire designed by the researcher, whose validity was substantiated by subject matter experts, and whose reliability was confirmed using Cronbach’s alpha (exceeding 0.8). The results indicated that illicit construction practices persist widely, while village leaders face a myriad of challenges, including a deficiency of skilled labor, insufficient compensation, and disjointed administrative responsibilities. These impediments were classified into six dimensions: social-educational, institutional-managerial, infrastructural-technological, administrative-political, economic-structural, and legal. The paramount concern identified was the deficiency of education and public awareness pertaining to safe construction methodologies, coupled with limited involvement from the community. The investigation underscores the necessity for a holistic approach to the governance of rural construction, accentuating the importance of capacity building, policy reform, and community engagement to promote sustainable rural development.
Keywords
Subjects
The Journal of Spatial Planning and Geomatics