Journal of Research and Rural Planning -پژوهش و برنامه ریزی روستایی

Purpose- The model of sustainable human development goes beyond sustainable development and has been adopted as the global development charter for the twenty-first century. Development should consider the needs of the current generation in addition to being sustainable. The impact of empowering members of society, particularly educated youth, can be significant. Skills-oriented and applied scientific training deals with aspects of human resource capabilities that are developed based on knowledge, skills, and attitudes. The implementation of applied scientific education in a way that is useful in the direction of economic development is critical. Assessing the need of society for a type of education that can be useful is important, but so is the method of providing that education.  Design/methodology/approach- One of the research's key questions is whether graduates of applied scientific education were successful in achieving their goals of economic development and job acquisition. The students at the Applied Science University are the focus of this research. The challenges of a lack of suitable businesses, as well as the existence of skill training centers that operate in the three sectors of agriculture, services, and industry, are the reasons for choosing this province. They can help the people. A questionnaire-based survey is the research method used in this study. Students from scientific research centers and theoretical foundations were asked to answer questions on a questionnaire designed to achieve the research objectives. Finding- According to the surveys conducted, only 3.24% believe that the current skill education system is adjusted and designed with the characteristics of the rural community, as well as improving skills and improving social life conditions, respectively 4.04 and 3.99% of the most important motivations for studying in applied scientific universities based on the results of the analysis were based on the information collected from supplementary questionnaires. In addition to that, the examination of the efficiency and performance of the skill training system in different dimensions (curriculum and content, facilities and equipment) shows that "attachment and sense of belonging", "strengthening of urban behavior" and "desire of young people to transform from village to city" are three It is a case where the respondents believe that applied science education contributed to their improvement.

Purpose- The ongoing research endeavors to identify and critically analyze the paradigmatic rural development model embedded within Iran's spatial planning frameworks. As innovative philosophical perspectives in rural development emerge, the necessity of examining and understanding the foundational principles guiding these initiatives has become increasingly vital. This importance is recognized from a theoretical perspective and in practical efficiency and effectiveness, particularly relevant for geographers engaged in spatial analysis. Design/methodology/approach- The research aims to contribute valuable insights to enhance rural development strategies and inform effective spatial planning in Iran by exploring these dimensions. The research strategy uses a mixed-methods approach, allowing for the selection of various methods that are aligned with the overall research objectives. Initially, the qualitative content analysis method was employed. Data collection utilized several tools, including observation, document analysis, and questionnaires. A non-probability sampling technique was applied, and one document was selected from each of the nine study areas. Researchers needed to consider multiple criteria during judgmental sampling, such as clustering levels, time units, geographic units, and the number of document samples, alongside consultations with academic experts. The document analysis, grounded in qualitative content analysis, aimed to objectify findings. Findings- The research revealed that critical characteristics of the paradigmatic model for rural development in the provincial SSP include "objective ontology," "positivism epistemology," "Separate praxis," and "ethics." The findings indicate that the degree of alignment between the selected SPP and the paradigmatic model of retrogressive rural development is rated at 3.73. This score suggests that the retrogressive perspective remains dominant despite advancements in "ideological" and "institutional" reforms. Originality/value- Consequently, the characteristics associated with the paradigmatic elements of rural development have regressed within the SPP framework.

Purpose- This research examines the impact of social factors on the sustainability and success of rural entrepreneurship in the eastern border of Zayandeh River, Isfahan, Iran. Design/methodology/approach- Using a qualitative grounded theory approach, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 40 key stakeholders, including rural entrepreneurs, local managers, agricultural jihad managers and experts, entrepreneurship experts, and rural development specialists. MAXQDA software was used for data analysis. Findings- The findings of this research show that trust, support, social participation and teamwork are very important for the success and sustainability of rural entrepreneurship. Mutual trust between entrepreneurs and communities, active participation in economic initiatives and joint efforts, increases innovation, productivity and adaptability in rural businesses. In addition, cultural norms and local power dynamics significantly influence entrepreneurial behaviors. Practical implications- Policymakers should prioritize strengthening local financial institutions, fostering entrepreneurial culture, and adopting participatory methods for designing and implementing entrepreneurship programs. These measures can help to increase the economic capabilities of rural communities. Creating equal opportunities for all members of society and rebuilding trust between rural communities and government institutions is necessary and mandatory. This trust can lead to improved collaborations and effective partnerships. Also, strategies to remove the cultural barriers of entrepreneurship are also necessary to create a suitable environment for innovation and growth and to encourage more people to engage in entrepreneurial activities. Originality/value- This study contributes to the existing literature by providing an integrated conceptual model of social factors affecting the sustainability of rural entrepreneurship. It enhances understanding of the social dynamics that shape entrepreneurial ecosystems in rural areas, particularly areas facing environmental and economic challenges. The obtained insights can provide effective policies and interventions aimed at promoting sustainable rural entrepreneurship in similar contexts. 

Purpose-Various factors influence changes in rural lifestyles, with one of the most important being rural-urban linkages. The aim of this paper is to examine the role of rural-urban linkages in changing the lifestyle of rural households across three dimensions: social, economic, and cultural. Design/methodology/approach- The research method is descriptive-analytical, and data collection was conducted through library research for theoretical studies and via questionnaires for the field study. The statistical population includes the villages of the Lasht Nesha district in Rasht County. A sample of 360 respondents was selected using Cochran's formula and a simple random sampling method. Data were analyzed using linear regression and multivariate regression tests. Finding- The research findings regarding the linear relationship between rural-urban linkages and changes in rural household lifestyles revealed a significant relationship between these two variables. Additionally, the results showed that the most significant impacts of rural-urban linkages were in the cultural, social, and economic dimensions, respectively. Specifically, in the cultural dimension, consumerism and cultural and linguistic changes were most prominent; in the social dimension, changes in clothing and behavior; and in the economic dimension, materialism, wealth accumulation, and income generation experienced the greatest changes.

Purpose- Coastal regions are some of the most popular tourism destinations worldwide and tourism can be a promising tool for enhancing dimensions of social-cultural resilience. The more resilient a community is to sudden, unexpected, or chronic economic, political, social, and environmental (negative) events, the less vulnerable it is to these disruptions. This study aimed to investigate the impact of socio-cultural resilience dimensions of coastal regions on sustainable tourism development in coastal regions of Bushehr, Iran.  Design/methodology/approach- This study is applied in terms of its objective and is correlational-descriptive in nature. Based on the type of data collected and analyzed, it is a quantitative study. The target population comprised 1686 socio-cultural experts involved in tourism development in Bushehr City. A sample of 313 participants was selected using random sampling, based on Cochran's formula. The study utilized two questionnaires: a Sustainable Tourism Development questionnaire and a Socio-Cultural Resilience questionnaire. Smart Plus and SPSS software version 26, and parametric, and nonparametric statistical tests were used to analyze the findings. Findings- The results showed a significant positive relationship between socio-cultural resilience in coastal regions and the level of tourism development in Bushehr Province. The regression coefficient for the impact of sociocultural resilience on tourism development as a dependent variable was 0.767. The regression coefficients for the cultural, environmental, economic, and social dimensions were 0.713, 0.839, 0.773, and 0.611, respectively. The coefficient of determination (R²) for sustainable tourism development was 0.589, indicating that 58.9% of the variance in sustainable tourism development in coastal areas can be explained by sociocultural resilience. The R² values ​​for the cultural, environmental, economic and social dimensions were 0.508 (50.8%), 0.703 (70.3%), 0.597 (59.7%) and 0.373 (37.3%), respectively. Practical implications- The results of this study have significant implications for the development of public policies related to sustainable tourism. In conclusion, given the diverse tourism opportunities and potentials of Bushehr Province in coastal areas, especially in the field of water and coastal sports, tourism managers and planners as well as researchers and scientists must show the necessary commitment to the formation and development of this industry through proper planning and determining appropriate strategies. It concludes by presenting some policy-making guidelines for a tourism destination manager.

Purpose – This study examines the barriers to promoting climate-smart agriculture (CSA) in rural areas of the Sistan Plain. Using a qualitative approach and focus group discussions, data were collected from farmers and local experts (54 participants). The discussions were analyzed through inductive content analysis, coding, and classification systems. Findings – The results reveal that barriers to CSA promotion fall into seven main categories: financial, institutional, technical and infrastructural, knowledge gaps, demographic, environmental, and market challenges. Key challenges include high initial costs, weak policies and institutional support, lack of practical knowledge and training, and adverse climatic conditions. Practical recommendations involve conducting specialized training, establishing pilot projects, and strengthening communication infrastructure. From a policy perspective, developing national strategies, providing financial incentives and credit facilities, and fostering collaboration across various sectors are crucial. This study offers comprehensive and integrated solutions to assist policymakers and agricultural practitioners in achieving sustainable development and strengthening CSA resilience. Practical Implications – This study proposes several practical solutions to address the identified challenges, including organizing specialized and operational training programs for farmers and experts, implementing pilot projects to demonstrate CSA effectiveness and benefits, developing communication and technical infrastructure such as high-speed internet access and advanced equipment, formulating national policies to provide financial and institutional support for CSA, and fostering collaboration among governmental, private, and local community sectors. Originality/Value – This research is one of the first comprehensive studies analyzing barriers to CSA promotion in Iran. Given the unique conditions of the Sistan Plain, the findings can serve as a model for other underprivileged regions in Iran and similar countries. The practical solutions and effective policy recommendations presented here mark a significant step toward sustainable development and greater agricultural resilience to climate change.