Spatial Analysis and Quantitative Assessment of Rural Housing Indicators in Iran

Introduction Housing has been one of the most essential needs of human life for a long time and it is one of the most important symbols of civilization and culture. Providing a shelter which is safe and secure is everyone’s ambition and to reach to this aim, human beings have used many different methods and technologies to improve the quality and quantity of housing. Through time passage and change of structure and function and also through meeting new requirements, if physical texture which is a symbol of biological and cultural way of living could not accommodate with time and place conditions of that society, this problem causes lack of development and as a result, leads to physical chaos. These spatial developments in rural environment, problems and the resulted failures in settlement methods and following that effects of urban environments on spatial-physical texture of villages have caused many changes. Therefore, to reach to the optimal condition in spatial dimension, codification of a comprehensive plan in housing sector requires recognition and analysis in vast dimensions and awareness of quantity status of housing indicators in regional planning process. So, reaching to an optimal condition in housing, as a developmental indicator is essential. This study aims to study rural housing indicators throughout the country in different dimensions (infrastructural and facilities dimension, structural strength and health facilities) and tries to determine their spatial levels; after recognizing the differences between regions, this study provide solutions for improvement of effective factors to blur spatial inequalities. Methodology This study is a theoretical-practical study and uses a descriptive-analytical method. For data collection, documentary method has been used. Data includes the results of general census of population and housing in 1390 according to each province separately. 41 variables are studied in this study and they are classified according to four general indicators. Following that, for giving weight to criteria, 20 experts commented and statistical analysis has been done by using factor analysis model and Fuzzy TOPSIS model. 41 variables are classified according to four main indicators including infrastructure and facilities, structural strength, facilities and heath care facilities). Discussion and Conclusion In the process of determining spatial level, recognizing and analyzing the facilities, obstacles, it is important to determine the development level of the regions regarding the level of satiation and deprivation. Basically, to reach development, determining spatial level is considered as a fundamental change and its realization is related to coordination between different dimensions. Because the studied issue is very important, this study considers the related indicators using Fuzzy TOPSIS model and factor analysis method; according to the studies and calculations it is proven that rural residents in Iran’s provinces have a type of inequality. In other words, spatial distribution is not equal in all residents; because in rural regions of the following provinces are at the highest level of satiation: Mazandaran (0.460), Isfahan (0.464), Alborz (0.455) and Tehran (0.449); rural regions of the following provinces are at lower level of satiation regarding the rural housing indicators: Sistan and Baluchestan (0.265), South Khorasan (0.267), Hormozgan (0.267) and Kerman (0.270). Therefore, codification of a comprehensive plan for housing, especially rural housing, requires complete recognition and deep analysis in vast dimensions about housing and factors that affect it. It should be said that although these indicators are key elements in determining the quality and quantity of housing and each indicator has a special position in housing planning system, but existence of each indicator is not the necessary condition for improving the quantity level of housing. So in discussing about housing quality, sufficient conditions require that all indicators be together. Generally, the status of housing indicators in some provinces create various social and cultural problems in micro and macro level of the society, so precaution and support are the best strategies in this matter. So, for directing future development in these villages toward a sustainable development and putting the existing problems away, it is necessary to implement effective and practical planning to improve housing status in these residents; and less developed regions should be considered more than more developed ones.