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Fakhrghazi M, Pourremezan E, Molaee Hashjin N. Explaining the economic resilience of rural settlements in Avaj city against environmental hazards emphasizingemphasizing earthquakes. serd 2022; 11 (41) :57-76
URL: http://serd.khu.ac.ir/article-1-3864-en.html
URL: http://serd.khu.ac.ir/article-1-3864-en.html
1- PhD in Geography and Rural Planning, Islamic Azad University, Rasht Branch, Rasht, Iran
2- Assistant Professor of Geography Department, Islamic Azad University, Rasht Branch, Rasht, Iran ,pourramzan@iaurasht.ac.ir
3- Professor of Geography Department, Islamic Azad University, Rasht Branch, Rasht, Iran
2- Assistant Professor of Geography Department, Islamic Azad University, Rasht Branch, Rasht, Iran ,
3- Professor of Geography Department, Islamic Azad University, Rasht Branch, Rasht, Iran
Abstract: (2595 Views)
Introduction
Environmental hazards, such as earthquakes, in rural settlements cause irreparable damage. One of the most significant damages is economic damage. Recognizing and understanding the level of economic resilience, an aspect of resilience, can be considered with appropriate planning in reducing injuries and destructive effects of environmental hazards. Avaj County in Qazvin Province is an earthquake-prone area of the country, and the degree of vulnerability and destruction of the rural settlements of this county in the earthquakes has been very high. Considering that if a place is economically upgraded, it is more suitable for living and reduces the risks. Economic resilience is one of the most critical issues in rural planning. Increasing the level of economic resilience will create satisfaction and security in the society, motivation of the residents to stay in the village environment and prevent the migration of the villagers. Therefore, more appropriate planning can be done in the village environment for crisis management. This research aims to explain the economic resilience of rural settlements in Avaj County.
Methodology
The required information has been collected from 100 villages of Avaj County in 5 districts. In order to collect information in the scope of the study, a questionnaire capable of collecting the required information was designed, and according to the size of the households (10293) and using Cochran’s formula with an error of 0.05%, the sample size of 370 households was determined. The number of samples in each village was determined using the proportional stratified method. In order to measure the validity (internal validity) of the questionnaire, the approval of experts and professors in the field of rural studies was taken, and to measure the reliability (external validity) of the questionnaires and ensure the accuracy and repeatability of the results, Cronbach’s alpha statistical test was used. The obtained coefficient (0.963) indicates the acceptable reliability of the questionnaire for conducting research. Excel and SPSS software were used for calculations, and GIS software was used for map drawing. In order to use the information in inferential statistics, indexing steps have been taken. After weighing and applying the weights by principal component analysis, resilience scores have been obtained for comparison and conclusion. The studied villages were ranked based on economic resilience scores in three levels: low, medium, and high. Single-sample T-test has been used to prove the significance and generalizability of research results and regression analysis to show the impact of the economic dimension on resilience.
Discussion and conclusion
In this research, to investigate and analyze economic resilience, the economic dimension, which is one of the four dimensions of resilience, has been discussed and investigated. In this dimension, three components and 16 items were identified. According to the findings, the use of loans and bank grants for renovation and improvement with an average of 3.69, the amount of use of government aid to the injured with an average of 3.64, economic status and quality of buildings with an average of 3.60, were the highest average respectively. On the other hand, items of the strength of the building structure with an average of 2.43, no disruptions in work activity in the event of an earthquake with an average of 2.82, the level of satisfaction with household savings to compensate for earthquake damages, 2.82 has had the most negligible impact on economic resilience at the level of the studied villages. Regarding the resilience scores, we found that Hesar Valiasr District has the highest score of 7.99, and Eastern Kharghan District has the lowest score of economic resilience with a score of 7.23. Considering the level of the economic situation, which is higher than the average with the one-sample T-test, and also the average of the components such as the employment status and income, which is at a relatively appropriate level, it seems that the villagers do not want to change the way of building. Instead, there is a desire for traditional-native architecture and the use of materials with low resistance. Regarding the present research results, the proposed solutions in the study area include using local trustees to encourage villagers to change building construction patterns and use high-quality and earthquake-resistant materials. Also, planning to use the economic potentials of the region in addition to the agriculture and livestock sectors such as tourism and industry to create a diversity of job opportunities and non-dependence on one job and source of income and having a second job can help and is a support strategy to return to the right conditions before the risk in case of danger and losing the first job.
Environmental hazards, such as earthquakes, in rural settlements cause irreparable damage. One of the most significant damages is economic damage. Recognizing and understanding the level of economic resilience, an aspect of resilience, can be considered with appropriate planning in reducing injuries and destructive effects of environmental hazards. Avaj County in Qazvin Province is an earthquake-prone area of the country, and the degree of vulnerability and destruction of the rural settlements of this county in the earthquakes has been very high. Considering that if a place is economically upgraded, it is more suitable for living and reduces the risks. Economic resilience is one of the most critical issues in rural planning. Increasing the level of economic resilience will create satisfaction and security in the society, motivation of the residents to stay in the village environment and prevent the migration of the villagers. Therefore, more appropriate planning can be done in the village environment for crisis management. This research aims to explain the economic resilience of rural settlements in Avaj County.
Methodology
The required information has been collected from 100 villages of Avaj County in 5 districts. In order to collect information in the scope of the study, a questionnaire capable of collecting the required information was designed, and according to the size of the households (10293) and using Cochran’s formula with an error of 0.05%, the sample size of 370 households was determined. The number of samples in each village was determined using the proportional stratified method. In order to measure the validity (internal validity) of the questionnaire, the approval of experts and professors in the field of rural studies was taken, and to measure the reliability (external validity) of the questionnaires and ensure the accuracy and repeatability of the results, Cronbach’s alpha statistical test was used. The obtained coefficient (0.963) indicates the acceptable reliability of the questionnaire for conducting research. Excel and SPSS software were used for calculations, and GIS software was used for map drawing. In order to use the information in inferential statistics, indexing steps have been taken. After weighing and applying the weights by principal component analysis, resilience scores have been obtained for comparison and conclusion. The studied villages were ranked based on economic resilience scores in three levels: low, medium, and high. Single-sample T-test has been used to prove the significance and generalizability of research results and regression analysis to show the impact of the economic dimension on resilience.
Discussion and conclusion
In this research, to investigate and analyze economic resilience, the economic dimension, which is one of the four dimensions of resilience, has been discussed and investigated. In this dimension, three components and 16 items were identified. According to the findings, the use of loans and bank grants for renovation and improvement with an average of 3.69, the amount of use of government aid to the injured with an average of 3.64, economic status and quality of buildings with an average of 3.60, were the highest average respectively. On the other hand, items of the strength of the building structure with an average of 2.43, no disruptions in work activity in the event of an earthquake with an average of 2.82, the level of satisfaction with household savings to compensate for earthquake damages, 2.82 has had the most negligible impact on economic resilience at the level of the studied villages. Regarding the resilience scores, we found that Hesar Valiasr District has the highest score of 7.99, and Eastern Kharghan District has the lowest score of economic resilience with a score of 7.23. Considering the level of the economic situation, which is higher than the average with the one-sample T-test, and also the average of the components such as the employment status and income, which is at a relatively appropriate level, it seems that the villagers do not want to change the way of building. Instead, there is a desire for traditional-native architecture and the use of materials with low resistance. Regarding the present research results, the proposed solutions in the study area include using local trustees to encourage villagers to change building construction patterns and use high-quality and earthquake-resistant materials. Also, planning to use the economic potentials of the region in addition to the agriculture and livestock sectors such as tourism and industry to create a diversity of job opportunities and non-dependence on one job and source of income and having a second job can help and is a support strategy to return to the right conditions before the risk in case of danger and losing the first job.
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