Spatial Analysis of Social and Cultural Factors as Driving Forces and Obstacles in Regional Spatial Planning and Development in Khorasane-Shomali Province

Abstract

Introduction Development paradigms and approaches have changed at the macro level since 1970s from hard to soft and the traditional development models have been marginalized. At the same time, the local and regional development theories are also changing continuously. By these changes and transformation in theories, there has been a lot of attention to the role of Social and cultural factors in regional spatial planning and development in two recent decades and concepts such as social capital are considered attractive in this arena. Formulating and explaining of the role of social and cultural factors in local and regional development has begun from 1990s, and there has been a lot of studies in recent years which demonstrated that social and cultural factors can act as driving forces and obstacles in local and regional development. The role of social and cultural factors in local and regional development is so important that regional competitiveness models, consider them essential for regional development. Investigating and analysis the role of social and cultural factors, therefore, can be considered as a basic step in development planning for a region. According to the above discussion, this article is trying to answer the question: how the situation is in terms of social and cultural factors as driving forces or obstacles in regional development in Khorasane-Shomali Province? It is necessary to note that although there have been a lot of studies that have theoretically and empirically paid special attention to the role of social and cultural factors in the development, the role of social and cultural factors in regional planning and development is still unknown.   Materials & Methods In this article, we have used a survey and qualitative method to explain the subject and answer the main research question. The empirical data was provided by the plan of spatial planning of Khorasane-Shomali Province. Data gathering tool was questionnaire and the article has used the formal data delivered and reported by local organizations. It should be noted that the Khorasane-Shomali Province is located in the north east of Iran and is one of the new formally shaped provinces that was formed in 2004. Cultural components such as culture of working, willingness to learning and progress, and conflict and opposition between groups (ethnic, social classes, and generic) were examined. The social components such as literacy rate, social problems, identity and sense of locality, and social capital were also investigated.   3- Discussion of Results & Conclusions The results demonstrate that although it is not possible to draw an exact spatial area according to the social and cultural factors in Khorasane-Shomali Province, the counties of the province show different conditions according to the social and cultural factors. So we can draw some approximate boundaries separating social and cultural conditions in that province. The results also demonstrate that there are some social and cultural factors such as working as a value, the important of working, and social capital that act as driving forces in the process of spatial planning and development of Khorasane-Shomali. On the other hand, it can be argued that factors such as declining social status of working, various conflicts and opponents, social problems and unemployment are acting as obstacles in the process of spatial planning and development of Khorasane-Shomali Province. Therefore, according to the results, there are many differences between counties of Khorasane-Shomali Province. These differences stem from historical roots and various cultural, social, geographical, and physical conditions of the counties. For example, the counties located in the south of province such as Esfarayein, Jajarm and Gemeh show more different social and cultural conditions as they are separated from northern parts of province by a mountains chain. The ethnic diversity is also an important factor in the province