Assessing the Economic and Infrastructural Homogeneity of Iran’s Nine Spatial Planning Regions Using Cluster Analysis

spatial homogeneity implies that the studied characteristics across all points within a planned region exhibit similar behavior or distribution, minimizing intra-regional differences relative to inter-regional ones. Failure to adhere to this principle can lead to statistical aggregation errors, which significantly reduce the accuracy of forecasts and the interpretation of spatial patterns. The objective of this research is to evaluate the spatial homogeneity of the nine land-use planning regions based on various economic and infrastructural indicators. The study employs a descriptive-analytical and comparative methodology. Data collection was conducted through documentary and library research (using official data from the Statistical Center of Iran for the year 2022/1401 and annual provincial economic reports). Statistical methods and the Cluster Analysis model in SPSS were used for data analysis. The results indicated that the relationship between planning regions and development clusters is not always synchronous. While high structural homogeneity and coherence were observed in some regions (such as Regions 2 and 3), relative spatial heterogeneity exists in others (particularly Regions 4, 6, 7, and 9); to the extent that neighboring provinces within a single planning region fall into completely different clusters in terms of development level and economic characteristics.