Authors
Abstract
Introduction
Livability is a concept connected with the number of concepts and terms such as sustainability, quality of environment, healthy communities, etc. Although definitions are varied in different communities, defined objectives of planning should be used for creating standard native definition for livability. It is often used for defining the dimensions of community and Common experiences. It is usually focused on human experiences of place within the specified time and place. In addition, livability as a concept could be within (expanded/limited) context in which it is defined. However, the concept of life quality is often under spotlight of this concept and includes a wide range of measurable indicators with proven components such as density, transportation, security and sustainability. Livability, however, is the concept of interconnection of economical, environmental and social forms and always one dimensional and reductive measure to prevent it. There should be a network of relationships between various domains related to livability standards. Vergunst (2003) introduced a framework for livability in Aspinge rural area in Sweden. In this context, the livability is a product of interaction between local residents, community life, service level, physical location and local economy. Local population, (the number of), demographic structure (age and gender), and lifestyle are among important factors in this regard. Service level refers to communications services, schools, homes for the elderly and stores. Local economy shows the zeitgeist and power of place in creating jobs and incomes; and physical location describes the buildings and the landscape. Like other townships in the Tehran metropolitan region, Varamin has experienced peri urban phenomena (with their effects such as accelerated environmental degradation, unplanned and changing land-uses, severe shortage of services and lacking responsiveness) and the villages surrounding the town (is settlement of lower income groups - the group suffer from negative effects from neighboring towns and villages).
Methodology
The nature and objectives of the research, lead to "descriptive – analytical" method. Selecting Varamin has been based on three indicators: increased population in the past two decades, supplying the basic needs from the adjacent town, and being in the boundaries of adjacent town. According to the population and housing survey (2006), 15 villages have been identified and examined as the samples. Analysis in this study is at villages level and the unit of analysis is an average rural household. Validity of questionnaire is relied on the opinions of experts in related fields (geography and rural planning, (geography and urban planning, rural development and sociology). However, reliability of questionnaire has been pre-tested in the study area. The viability of measuring household questionnaire has been proved by the Cronbach's Alpha, and it is obtained in this study with0 /955, which indicates a strong reliability coefficient.
The study areas in this research are the villages surrounding the city in Varamin Township. Varamin has permitted immigration over the past decade in Province of Tehran. Hence the villages surrounding urban areas of the city have many attractions for accepting immigrants who for various reasons have not been able to find inhabited place in Tehran and now reside in the mentioned villages.
Results
The findings of this research showed that the mean livability of the villages is in average. Hesarqazy village which is located in vicinity of the smallest city in the study area has got the highest scores in dimensions of socio-economical and environmental aspects; and it has got the highest average score too. Therefore, it is in the 1st rank in country in this regard. In socio-economical and environmental viability, all of the villages are in middle and unfavorable condition. Livability in different villages shows different circumstances. The rural environmental indicators show a lower score, comparing with the socio-economical ones.
In socio-economical and environmental viability, all of the villages are in middle and unfavorable condition. Livability in different villages shows different circumstances. The rural environmental indicators show a lower score, comparing with the socio-economical ones.
Conclusion
The ecological livability of the villages is lower than other dimensions. Economical livability shows the highest score more than social and environmental ones. At the time being, being, the mentioned villages suffer from adverse environmental condition, but the other ones are in average. All villages in the vicinity of Varamin city are in the medium and its neighboring villages of Qarchak city are in poor condition. The most important reasoning this regard, is uncontrolled and almost unlimited immigrations. Furthermore, and incorporation of cultural and ethnic mix in villages form the defects and subsequent loss of viability. Furthermore, and incorporation of cultural and ethnic mix in villages form the defects and subsequent loss of viability.
Keywords
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