JOURNAL OF RURAL RESEARCH
Year:2013 | Volume:4 | Issue:3|Papers Count:12

Introduction Rural areas have a considerable proportion of national land area and national population. Hence, the economic performance of these regions has a substantial impact on national prosperity and productivity. However, even in developed countries like United States, the widening gap in economic performance between rural and urban areas has become a major challenge. Scholars believe this widening gap is as a result of government's special approach to rural areas, which overlooks the unique characteristics of each rural area, considers rural areas same as agriculture, and doesn't consider neighboring metropolitan regions.

Introduction With the growth in population and increase in the demand for more food it is required to make more investments in agricultural sector. The investment involves using mechanization in agricultural activities. Among the most important measures that should be sufficient to push the modernization of the agricultural sector, it is the development and application of technology. To improve the quality and quantity of agricultural production and market competition, public sector and non-governmental actors have to adapt themselves to the conditions of application of new technologies.Studies show that the direct and indirect effects of agricultural mechanization can be in the areas of productivity, quality and profitability for farmers.

Introduction Census data of Iran show that about 68.5% (1956) to 29% (2011) of rural population has decreased over the past half-century. Rural population has rapidly declined over the last half century and is influenced by several factors, one of which is rural- urban migration.Although the percentage of rural to urban migration (20%) and urban to rural one (17%) from 1996 to 2006 show less difference, but it should be noted that the individuals involved in these two types of migration are different in demographic, social and economic characteristics. The most important difference is the fact that over 50% of immigrants in the past decade were younger (29-15 years).

Introduction Many plans and programs have been outlined to solve problems including rapid increase of urbanization, unbalanced distribution of population, a plenty of urban problems, increase of unemployment, underdevelopment of rural points, immigration and specially migration of active population toward metropolitan areas.These are rampant issues throughout Iran like many other developing countries. One of the most important applications to solve these issues may be promotion of rural settlements into towns with the objective of decreasing population streams toward big cities like Tehran, Mashhad and etc. Conversion and promotion of the villages into towns is one the most acceptable strategies for decreasing zonal inequalities in most of developing countries.

Introduction During the last century and in a period of time called modern history of Iran we have seen different changes in urban communities, in general, and urban and rural areas of Kurdistan, in particular. The range and power of such changes has been such that we can claim it has changed the “life world” of Iranians noticeably.Mukerian as the case of this study is faced, in one hand, with weak interests of first generation in keeping traditional values, e.g., in the fields of religion, family and socio-cultural problems. On the other hand, it is faced with double efforts of new generation who has made more adaption with modern elements like; new education, mass media, secular values and urban life values with interests in welfare.However, it must be mentioned that among all human societies Kurdistan has dynamic and consistent process of “detradtionalisation and traditionalisation”.

Introduction: Rural areas in less developed countries, including Iran, are facing with enormous challenges due to rising economic and social disparities between urban and rural areas. Hence, identifying and explaining the factors affecting quality of life in these areas is very important. Today the Quality of life is discussed as a key element in policy making and public policy. Results of the studies can help identify problematic areas, causes of people discontent, priorities of people in life, policies evaluation, ranking of locations, and compilation of management strategies and planning for community (town, village). It also facilitates understanding and classification of priorities of society issues for planners and managers in order to promote the quality of life.

Introduction Recognition, measurement and improvement in quality of life are the main purpose of the research. Since 1960s, the quality of life has become as one of the favorite subjects in social science. Because in this decade it was determined that economic progress does not improve the life of people. The quality of the life of people and rural places depend on many factors, including employment, proper income, services like education, hygiene, health, natural environment. Although, the quality of the life of people and urban places depend on these factors, but challenges related to welfare and good life in the urban region is so different from those in rural region.

Introduction Although the concept of ecotourism as the ideal of Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development is based on the global current the role of human interference in the nature is more than that of natural conditions. Because of this, there is still a vulnerable stability condition. Other scholars including Carter and Caudal are in doubt about tourism and environmental sustainability; they believe that sustainable tourism, despite its obligations on environmental conditions, would not be achievable. However, some people like Butler believe that in spite of numerous investigations in this area, we must await the results and the related successful outcomes in the future. However, using the appropriate setting for the leisure environment, population is catchy.

Introduction Access to tourism destinations and ranking of them are the main aspects of tourism development planning. Although the Analysis Network Process (ANP) is based on Analysis Hierarchy Process (AHP) but network structure or feedback is dominated in decision making of the options. This article tries to respond to following questions in order to prove the main goal of the research as selection of the best tourism target in west of Guilan mountainous region: What are the tourism destinations in west of Guilan mountainous area? What indices and criteria are considered for investigation and evaluation of these destinations.