Mohammad Haseli; Hassan Afrakhteh; yadollah karimipoor; Hamid Abdollahiyan
Abstract
In Iran, which is a water-scarce country, planning is centralized and large-scale based on political-contractual boundaries. This has led to the degradation of the functional levels of the land and has caused numerous problems. Therefore, finding the optimal geographical context and efficient planning ...
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In Iran, which is a water-scarce country, planning is centralized and large-scale based on political-contractual boundaries. This has led to the degradation of the functional levels of the land and has caused numerous problems. Therefore, finding the optimal geographical context and efficient planning unit for the lower levels has always been the focus of planning scholars including geographers. The purpose of this study is to propose a basis for the political division of space for spatial planning and transition from centralized national-sectoral planning. This research is theoretical and in terms of nature and method, it is a deep descriptive-analytical case study. The present study, with a combined approach (analogy and deduction), firstly, by analogy and logical analysis, evaluates the status quo using documentary study. Then, it studies inductively the Karkheh catchment as a spatial domain of research in order to explain an alternative pattern. Analyzes were performed using Arc GIS software. New theories of development, especially the theory of bio-regionalism, emphasize ecological factors in the designation of biological areas. The ecological implications of these theories have been specifically introduced through catchments and their relationship to communities. The findings of the study identified the catchment as a bio-regional boundary and considered the Karkheh catchment to be compatible with the Lak spoken area. The results show that Karkheh catchment can be a suitable spatial planning unit for the study area. The relative homogeneity in the structure of natural-ecological, social, cultural, economic, and spatial convergence within the territory as well as the adaptation of rural and urban settlements to the Karkhe catchment branches confirms this result.
