the process of a synthetic methodology for strategic planning on physical development of iranian rural areas

during recent decades, a lot of growing evidences of social, economic and environmental changes mainly observed in the country have led to spatial changes. through technological developments, human beings have significantly detected the natural elements and conditions, have modified the ways of exploiting natural resources and management practices. the need for physical planning has also massively increased during the past years. meantime, rural areas have not been an exception. in this study, for the first time, a synthetic methodology (quantitative - qualitative) has been employed for physical planning and development of rural areas of the country. one of the basic features of this method is the simultaneous use of quantitative and qualitative methods within a strategic planning framework. the key questions of the article are: what methods are appropriate for physical planning in rural areas and how is it possible to combine these methods? does the synthetic participatory methodology help us achieve the goals of physical planning in rural areas? the results show that it is possible to develop a system of strategic management, physical planning and sustainable principles with partnership of various elements of planning (from local to national) and development agents (people, policy makers and planners) via a synthetic methodology.