Social effects of industrial growth poles on local sustainable development: Assaluyeh industrial growth poles Case study

The primary goal of the growth poles designers in Europe was to use them to stimulate growth in deprived areas but in developing countries growth poles have been created due to the natural resources in specific areas and for contributing to national economic growth. The main purpose of this paper is the evaluation of the social effects of industrial development resulted from creation of industrial growth poles on local sustainable development in Assaluyeh region. The main question is that what consequences the arrival of industry into this region has had and what effects these consequences have had on sustainable development of local communities. In the present study, the theoretical framework includes the growth pole approach. Growth pole is a regional and industrial planning model for a "vast array of industries" located in a region. In Assaluyeh region, a factor that has led the region to have the features of a growth pole is the concentration of industrial activities and gas industry in one place. This study was conducted with qualitative method and the data were collected via focus group discussions, observation and deep interviews. Population of the study includes local authorities, local informers and the Pars area managers. Research findings have shown that rapid expansion of industry and industrial development in the region has had dual consequences. Along with industrial development in the area, sustainable development indicators in local communities have not been realized. After the arrival of industry, sectors such as education, health, infrastructure and infrastructure facilities in the region were improved, but no significant improvement was discernable in other areas and sometimes negative effects were observable. Employment and sustainable livelihood is not desirable. In the field of environment and agriculture, pollution and loss of production is evident. In addition, in social fields, multiple deviance and various discriminations has been occurred.