Evaluation of spatial planning indicators of physical resilience of rural settlements in the face of floods (Case Study: Region Seven of Spatial Planning)

Asadi, Reza; Rokneddin Eftekhari, Abdoreza; Tavakoli, Mortaza; Pourtaheri, Mehdi

doi:10.22111/jneh.2026.52886.2131

Evaluation of spatial planning indicators of physical resilience of rural settlements in the face of floods (Case Study: Region Seven of Spatial Planning)

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

¹ PhD Graduated in geography and rural planning, Department of Geography and Planning, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

² Professor, Department of Geography and Planning, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

³ Associate Professor, Department of Geography and Planning, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

⁴ Professor, Department of Geography and Rural Planning, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

10.22111/jneh.2026.52886.2131

Abstract

Spatial Planning and Physical Resilience Against Flooding. Flooding, a pervasive natural hazard has exerted increasing pressure on Iran’s rural settlements over recent decades, driven by climate change and unsustainable land-use patterns. These settlements exhibit compounded vulnerability due to deficient physical infrastructure and heavy reliance on natural resources for livelihood. Within this framework, the present research analytically evaluates the spatial planning indicators that influence the physical resilience of rural areas in Land Planning Region 7 (comprising Zanjan, Qazvin, and Markazi provinces) to flood events. This study employed a descriptive-analytical method with a quantitative approach. Data collection involved field surveys and a researcher-developed questionnaire administered to 375 rural household heads and 86 subject-matter experts. One-sample t-test results indicate that the mean scores for all investigated dimensions remain significantly below the theoretical optimum of 3 for both groups. Specifically, the overall mean reached 2.42 (t = -81.180) from the villagers' perspective and 2.65 (t = -11.476) from the experts' perspective. Furthermore, an independent t-test revealed a significant perceptual discrepancy between the two cohorts (p < 0.01). The governance dimension exhibited the most substantial gap, where the experts' relatively positive assessments directly contradicted the local community's critical evaluations. The findings demonstrate that persistent centralized; top-down spatial planning decouples infrastructure development from indigenous needs, thereby eroding physical resilience. Consequently, this study advocates for a fundamental redefinition of institutional mechanisms and the strengthening of participatory governance as essential prerequisites for enhancing spatial resilience in flood-prone rural areas.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Crisis-management

References

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