The role of governments in the regional developments of rural development indicators after the of the Islamic revolution (case study: Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad provinces)

Authors

• yaghoub esfaram ¹
• Morteza Ghourchi ²
• Pegah Moride-sadat ²

¹ PhD student in geography and rural planning, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.

² Assistant Professor, Department of Human Geography and Spatial, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.

10.30495/jzpm.2024.30889.4143

Abstract

Based on Michel Foucault's concept of governmentality, governments strive to control all aspects of citizens' lives. This perspective views the production of (in)equal spaces as a consequence of political governance performance within specific historical periods, manifested through dominant discourses. Following the Islamic Revolution, four governing discourses - developmental, political development, justice-oriented, and moderation and development - took hold in the country, aiming to shape the national space through political management and planning aligned with their objectives. However, the policy outcomes and discourse-based planning have revealed shortcomings in development programs, leading to imbalances at national and local levels. This research aims to analyze the role of governments in the spatial development of rural development indicators in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province. The research method is descriptive-analytical, utilizing both library and field data collection. Spatial analysis employs the Vikor technique, and GIS software is used for mapping. Findings indicate that governments, based on their own development definitions and approaches, attempted to plan and assert their discourse over space. Due to various reasons such as misconceptions about rural development and insufficient financial resources, they fell short of their goals. Moreover, the study reveals that villages located in central areas of provinces or counties have better conditions compared to peripheral villages. Ajam District in Dishmook section of Kohgiluyeh city faces unfavorable conditions, whereas the northern Sarrud District in the central section of Boyer-Ahmad city enjoys a favorable situation. Despite improvements in village conditions, spatial inequality remains a key issue in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, with disparities observed between eastern and southern regions having development advantages, while northern and western regions lag behind.

Keywords

• Discourse
• governance
• space management
• spatial inequality
• Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad

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