Articles
Assessment of Development Level of Sistan and Baluchistan Province Compared to other Iran’s Provinces
INTRODUCTION
Developmental inequality of regions is among the recently emerging issues in regional and areal planning literature but its status has not been clearly specified in our country. These inequalities -which can be caused by numerous factors such as historical, social, economical, geographical, demographical, and political reasons – are followed by inhomogeneous and imbalanced growth among regions and areas (Mansouri Sales, 1996). Thus, general goals of regional planning and/or economical development are establishment of social justice and distribution of welfare and wealth among the individuals of society. To achieve the aforementioned goals in any society, different programs need to be prepared, codified, and ultimately, implemented because appropriate and just distribution of facilities and achievements of development among the majority of population in a region, area, or country is one of the characteristics of viable and sound economy. Accordingly, planners intend to mitigate the hiatus and inequalities through preparing deprivation-alleviating programs (Ramazani, 1987)
generally, development is a dynamic phenomenon and does not exclusively belong to a certain time and place and is not restricted to specific society. In a better statement, economical development is a process in which a series of fundamental transformations and changes occur in economical, social, cultural, and political structures of the society (Sadeghain, 2008). In this regard, planning, as an effective element of management, is a tool that can define ideal objectives for the future to achieve the desirable development through a critical view to the status quo. It is also able to make the society successful in the way to reach the desired goals through assessment of selective measures. In urban environments, planning is manifested as urban development process. Therefore, in development discussions particularly for sustainable development which has emerged and gained remarkable attention in the recent decades, three factors constituting the sustainability of development shall be taken into account: Economical factor in the form of increase in people’s revenues through economic production growth and increase of job openings; Social factor through provision of social welfare and promotion of citizen’s living level; and environmental factor through creating clean and salubrious environment free of pollutions for protecting life quality. Yet, availability of a logical and codified method for assessing the concepts is among the unavoidable prerequisites for any analysis and planning and then control (as a major element of management). Consequently, in the modern era when countries are exceedingly developing worldwide, it seems necessary to get aware of country’s development status for pursuing the development goals and presence in the global competition arena. Sistan and Baluchistan Province with an area of 181758 square kilometres and a population of 2405742 persons in south-east Iran is the vastest province of the country following political divisions which split Khorasan Province into three provinces, (Razavi, Northern and Southern). This province occupying 11.16 percents of country’s area only is inhabited by 3 percent of total population. Based on findings of the first report on Iran’s human development in 2008-2009, Sistan and Baluchistan province is ranked the last in comparison with other provinces in terms of human development indices. Specifically, the province has assumed the worst condition in terms of poverty index which represents the level of deprivation in three aspects namely, life span, education level, and revenue. Severe poverty and deprivation especially in rural areas and extremely low population density as well as intense scattering of populated centers have caused the investment in this region economically unjustifiable. And, compared to other provinces, less investment has been made, and as a result, less productive employment opportunities have been provided. In addition, certain problems take place in this province due to its specific geographical situation; illegal transactions and smuggling are instances of these problems. Although long costal and terrestrial borders are potentially regarded as advantages of the province, but it negatively affects creation of productive employment as long as no rigorous planning is imposed regarding the border deals. Failure to properly and suitably benefit from the potentials of the province has led to restriction of job creation capacities. For example, provincial capabilities in development of foreign trade activities are by far larger than the current status. Appropriate exploitation from these capacities to a great extent pertains to decision-makings in national level. Accordingly, development level of Iran’s provinces - specifically position of Sistan and Baluchistan -Province will be analyzed using indices for comparison of development status.
Assessment of Development Level of Sistan and Baluchistan Province Compared to other Iran’s Provinces
Developmental inequality of regions is among the recently emerging issues in regional and areal planning literature but its status has not been clearly specified in our country. These inequalities -which can be caused by numerous factors such as historical, social, economical, geographical, demographical, and political reasons – are followed by inhomogeneous and imbalanced growth among regions and areas (Mansouri Sales, 1996). Thus, general goals of regional planning and/or economical development are establishment of social justice and distribution of welfare and wealth among the individuals of society. To achieve the aforementioned goals in any society, different programs need to be prepared, codified, and ultimately, implemented because appropriate and just distribution of facilities and achievements of development among the majority of population in a region, area, or country is one of the characteristics of viable and sound economy. Accordingly, planners intend to mitigate the hiatus and inequalities through preparing deprivation-alleviating programs (Ramazani, 1987)
generally, development is a dynamic phenomenon and does not exclusively belong to a certain time and place and is not restricted to specific society. In a better statement, economical development is a process in which a series of fundamental transformations and changes occur in economical, social, cultural, and political structures of the society (Sadeghain, 2008). In this regard, planning, as an effective element of management, is a tool that can define ideal objectives for the future to achieve the desirable development through a critical view to the status quo. It is also able to make the society successful in the way to reach the desired goals through assessment of selective measures. In urban environments, planning is manifested as urban development process. Therefore, in development discussions particularly for sustainable development which has emerged and gained remarkable attention in the recent decades, three factors constituting the sustainability of development shall be taken into account: Economical factor in the form of increase in people’s revenues through economic production growth and increase of job openings; Social factor through provision of social welfare and promotion of citizen’s living level; and environmental factor through creating clean and salubrious environment free of pollutions for protecting life quality. Yet, availability of a logical and codified method for assessing the concepts is among the unavoidable prerequisites for any analysis and planning and then control (as a major element of management). Consequently, in the modern era when countries are exceedingly developing worldwide, it seems necessary to get aware of country’s development status for pursuing the development goals and presence in the global competition arena. Sistan and Baluchistan Province with an area of 181758 square kilometres and a population of 2405742 persons in south-east Iran is the vastest province of the country following political divisions which split Khorasan Province into three provinces, (Razavi, Northern and Southern). This province occupying 11.16 percents of country’s area only is inhabited by 3 percent of total population. Based on findings of the first report on Iran’s human development in 2008-2009, Sistan and Baluchistan province is ranked the last in comparison with other provinces in terms of human development indices. Specifically, the province has assumed the worst condition in terms of poverty index which represents the level of deprivation in three aspects namely, life span, education level, and revenue. Severe poverty and deprivation especially in rural areas and extremely low population density as well as intense scattering of populated centers have caused the investment in this region economically unjustifiable. And, compared to other provinces, less investment has been made, and as a result, less productive employment opportunities have been provided. In addition, certain problems take place in this province due to its specific geographical situation; illegal transactions and smuggling are instances of these problems. Although long costal and terrestrial borders are potentially regarded as advantages of the province, but it negatively affects creation of productive employment as long as no rigorous planning is imposed regarding the border deals. Failure to properly and suitably benefit from the potentials of the province has led to restriction of job creation capacities. For example, provincial capabilities in development of foreign trade activities are by far larger than the current status. Appropriate exploitation from these capacities to a great extent pertains to decision-makings in national level. Accordingly, development level of Iran’s provinces - specifically position of Sistan and Baluchistan -Province will be analyzed using indices for comparison of development status.
Assessment of Development Level of Sistan and Baluchistan Province Compared to other Iran’s Provinces
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WaterTuesday, December 30, 2025