Introduction
Urbanization and rural development are deeply interconnected, yet the role of small towns in bridging this gap is often overlooked. In our recent study published in Cities (2022), titled "An assessment of the role of small towns in the development of periphery population centers using network analysis," we explored how the transformation of Arjmand from a village to a small town in Iran has influenced the surrounding rural areas. This research highlights the critical role small towns can play in regional development and offers valuable insights for policymakers and planners worldwide.
The Context: Small Towns as Catalysts for Development
In Iran, the policy of converting large villages into towns has been a contentious yet widely implemented strategy. While some argue it fosters rural development, others question its effectiveness. Our study focused on Arjmand, a small town in Firouzkooh County, to evaluate whether its urbanization has reduced rural dependencies on larger cities like Firouzkooh and improved local service provision.
Small towns like Arjmand act as intermediaries between rural areas and larger urban centers, facilitating the flow of goods, services, and information. By strengthening these links, they can promote balanced regional growth and curb excessive migration to megacities.
Key Findings
Using network analysis, we examined service dependencies across seven functions—trade, administration, health, agriculture, education, communications, and infrastructure—before and after Arjmand’s urbanization. Here’s what we discovered:
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Reduced Dependence on Larger Cities: Before Arjmand became a town, rural areas heavily relied on Firouzkooh for services. After its urbanization, Arjmand emerged as a central service provider, significantly reducing rural dependencies on Firouzkooh.
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Increased Local Interactions: The density of service flows between settlements rose from 4.97% to 6.72%, indicating stronger local networks and improved service accessibility.
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Centrality of Arjmand: In both periods, Arjmand maintained a high centrality value, underscoring its pivotal role in the region’s service hierarchy. Post-urbanization, it became a hub for education, healthcare, and trade, benefiting nearby villages like Shadmahn and Kahriz.
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Policy Implications: The study demonstrates that empowering small towns can decentralize service provision, enhance rural-urban linkages, and foster equitable regional development.
Why This Matters
Our research contributes to global discussions on urbanization and rural development by:
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Providing a replicable framework: The network analysis method can be applied to similar contexts worldwide to assess the impact of small towns.
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Highlighting local solutions: Small towns like Arjmand offer a viable alternative to top-down development policies, promoting self-sufficiency in rural areas.
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Encouraging balanced growth: By investing in small towns, governments can mitigate urban overcrowding and stimulate rural economies.
Conclusion
The transformation of Arjmand into a small town has proven to be a success story in regional development. It not only improved service delivery for surrounding villages but also strengthened the settlement hierarchy, reducing migration pressures on larger cities. This case study underscores the potential of small towns as engines of sustainable development, offering lessons for regions grappling with urbanization challenges.
For more details, read the full article in Cities (2022): DOI: 10.1016/j.cities.2022.104026.
Let’s Discuss!
How can small towns in your region benefit from similar strategies? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Authors: Mahsa Najarsadeghi & Ehsan Dorostkar
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