Authors
1
Master of Geography and Rural Planning, Department of Human Geography, Faculty of Geographical Science, Kharazmi University
2
Associate professor of Geography and Rural Planning, Department of Human Geography, Faculty of Geographical Science, Kharazmi University
3
3- Assistant professor of Geography and Rural Planning, Department of Human Geography, Faculty of Geographical Science, Kharazmi University
Abstract
The notion of good village is a core concept and aim for rural development planning. However, modeling the qualifications of good village in rural settlements, requires investigation and prioritizing the experiences, perceptions and the objective and subjective needs of the local community. This study aims to understand and interpret the characteristics of a good village from the perspectives of local community. In doing so, we examined the case of Varas Village in Hesar Kharvan Rural District, of Alborz county in Qazvin province to answer the leading question of "What is the local community’ perceptions of a good village?". In-depth interviews with the adult participants and the mental imagery and drawing tools with the children and young participants were used to collect data on their insight on the characteristics of good village. The participants' explanation on the drawings and the interviews were recorded and converted to the text. Then, the contents were analyzed and classified in three phases of coding: open coding, axial coding and selective coding. As a result, 69 concepts and 20 main categories were identified and the conceptual framework of the good village from the perspective of the local community was developed. In the discourse of the studied local community, the access to agricultural water in all seasons, participation of the local community in rural development projects, employment opportunity for the villagers, preservation of cultural and natural monuments of the village, satisfaction with local income, nativism, belief in religious values, benefit from a suitable ecological environment, vernacular architecture, welfare facilities for the village, collectivism, benefit from formal skills and knowledge in the village, no conflict between government and people, family foundation, existence of employment development capacities, social solidarity, enjoy physical and mental health, continuity of urban-rural interaction, suitable environment, proper transportation network, were the characteristics of a good village.
Keywords
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