Geography and Regional Planning

Geography and Regional Planning

Qualitative Analysis of Sustainable Development Policies in Rural Areas: A Study Based on the Perspective of Local Stakeholders

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 Department of Management, payame noor University, Tehran, Iran
2 Management Department, payame noor University, Tehran, Iran
10.22034/jgeoq.2025.504166.4232
Abstract
Sustainable development in rural areas is one of the fundamental challenges in public policy-making that requires a deep understanding of the perspectives of local stakeholders. This study attempts to examine, through qualitative analysis, the key dimensions and components affecting sustainable development in rural areas of Ilam province. The present study is applied in terms of purpose and qualitative in terms of how to collect information. The statistical population includes university professors and expert experts from Ilam Governorate. 15 experts were identified as sufficient for interviews. The present study was conducted using theme analysis. The results show that 60 indicators in the form of 12 components (diversifying the rural economy, improving economic infrastructure, supporting sustainable agriculture, improving the quality of life in rural areas, increasing social participation and empowering local communities, preserving local culture and identity, managing natural resources and the environment, developing sustainable tourism, combating climate change and natural disasters, improving rural development policymaking and planning, financing and supporting rural investment, monitoring, evaluating and improving the performance of local institutions) and 4 dimensions (economic dimension, social dimension, environmental dimension, institutional and governance dimension) constitute the dimensions of the qualitative analysis of sustainable development policies in rural areas: a study based on the perspective of local stakeholders. The qualitative analysis of sustainable development policies in rural areas of Ilam province, based on the perspective of local stakeholders, shows that sustainable development requires a multidimensional approach. The research findings relate to four key dimensions: economic, social, and environmental.
Keywords

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