Organizing the Rural Settlements of Damavand Based on Regional Network Indicators by Using TOPSIS Technique

Extended Abstract
Introduction
In the past decades, development policies in the country have caused negative
effects on regions. These policies have caused the mass evacuation of rural
settlement and the imbalance hierarchy of settlements. The reflect of these policies
are visible in the rapid and uneven growth of large cities and eliminate loops linking
between cities and rural settlements from the highest levels, to lower ones. Survey
the development on the rural community in past shows that the rural sectors faced
with the basic difficulty in the socio-economic and ecological aspects in national and
local levels, so that the continuity of this situation confronts them with problems
such as intensifying of regional in equalities, massive evacuation of human and
financial resources in villages, declining in per capital food production and emerging
food crisis, accumulation of population in urban communities, extension of
marginalization, unemployment and social damage. Present study with the purposes
of 1) prevent the rising trend of rural migration and make order of settlement pattern
in activity and population, 2) creation and establishment hierarchy in the settlement
of Damavand and 3) offer variety activities in rural settlements, consider these
questions: 
1- What factors are effective in the optimal distribution of population and activities
in an area?
2- What is the order of spatial distribution settlements and their functions in the
Damavand district and which of Damavand settlements have the ability and
capability more for local and regional development?
In the survey of the spatial organization of ecologic-environmental areas in district
and regional levels, there are different perspectives and theories In order to achieve
the development of urban and rural settlements. These opinions have been entered in
some practical and theoretical cases.
Methodology
This research is investigating on policies that have been proven throughout the
world such as regional network to provide better facilities and services in rural
settlement of Damavand. These policies focus on using the present facilities and join
them to new strategies of regional and national development. The analysis process
of rural settlements and the importance of the proposed indicators are done by using
the Topsis technique and the Principal Component Analysis. For this purpose,
collecting information have done by attention to the national documents, and using
scientific articles, books, reports and available information in the organs and
government agencies. Other information is also provided by the processing of maps,
photographs and slides. The statistical society of this study includes 83 permanent
rural settlements of Damavand with more than3 families and 39 indicators according
to the Dimensions of the regional networks approach.
Results
The result of the study shows that Sarbandan, Vadan, Jaban, Marai, Sadat Mahaleh,
Arou, Mosha, Mehrabad, Seyd Abad, Garmabsard, Islam Abad and Ahran villages
with a score higher than 0.4 have been in grades 1 to 13 and Shater M. Sofla, Jafar
Abad, Mendank, Ajan, Jozdar, Homand Kouhan, Shah Belaghi, Hossein Abad,
Rostam Abad, Ozoun Dare, Saleh Abad, Gandak, Homnad Kylan and Yalaqan
Dareh villages with scoreless than 0.15 are located in the lower echelons of the 
rankings. According to the result of the ranking, some parts of the region that used
natural, economic, social and physical capabilities have more concentrated
population and boomed economic activities, which has been a high level of
development of settlements. However, the boom may be made by only one of the
basis strengths. For example in some parts, some rural such as Sarbandan and Jaban
in Abarshive district, Vadan in Jamabroud and Sadat Mahale in Abali district are
located adjacent to the communication paths. These villages, with use this features
and create service centers, have reached to a higher level of development.
On the other hand, some rural settlements are being evacuated by ignoring their
positive features and capabilities. These settlements can be pointed by rural villages
in the south part of the Mehrabad and villages in the central part of the Abarshive
and Jamabroud district.
Conclusion
Proper utilization of the natural, social, economic and physical factors has caused
boom economic activity, attract population and prevent irregular migration. These
conditions will make hierarchical order of rural settlements based on their power and
capabilities. Lack of proper communication between rural and urban settlements in
Damavand district have caused poor performance and low-density of rural
settlements. If good communication of manufacturing and service facilities exist
between adjacent settlements, it will help to link rural and urban settlements together
to get the better performance. In addition to, the complementary relationship
between activities of agriculture, industry and services provide the grounds of
further development. Finally, according to descriptions provided in settlements
classified; in order to access available services and facilities of rural settlements in
the district and promote the level of that, 4 System villages are suggested in this
essay.