Exploring the Role of Empowerment Influenced by Planning Approaches in the Sustainable Socio-Cultural Development of Rural Settlements in the Central District of Hamadan County

Abstract

It is evident that although empowerment is effective in changing the lifestyle of rural inhabitants, due to the dominance of rationalist approaches in the planning system of Iran, the empowerment of rural residents has not been adequately addressed in the country's planning and policy-making. The present research, conducted through documentary and survey methods, aims to investigate the impact of planning types on rural empowerment and ultimately its effect on the sustainable socio-cultural development of rural settlements. The statistical population of this study encompasses the inhabited rural settlements in the central district surrounding Hamadan County. Out of the total 107 inhabited villages in Hamadan County, 50 settlements were randomly selected. The selection of rural settlements was done using a combined random sampling method, including stratified or class sampling. The sample size selected was 382 households, chosen randomly. For data analysis, in addition to descriptive techniques, Pearson correlation coefficient and multivariate regression analysis were used to assess the relationship and impact among the study variables. The results showed that out of 14 indicators examined, 7 indicators (education and information, the manner and mode of participation, social capital, improvement in individuals' living standards, self-determination, trust and confidence, and transparency) have a significant correlation with the socio-cultural development component of the rural areas under study, according to experts and rural respondents. In fact, the Pearson test results indicate the existence of a relationship between the planning approach and the empowerment and sustainable socio-cultural development of the villages in the study area.