The Role of Popular Participation in the Implementation Quality of Rural Guide Plans )Case Study: Sistan Border Region)

Purpose: This study intended to analyze the role and function of public participation in the quality of the implementation of guide plans in the villages of the border region of Sistan. Design/methodology/approach: This is a descriptive and analytical research. In this regard, a broad spectrum of indicators was determined and studied within the framework of field studies (completing the household questionnaire, interviewing local experts and experts of the Housing Foundation, and filling out forms of field observations) to achieve the desired goal. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and statistical and spatial analyses were employed to analyze the information. They were performed using Expert Choice, SPSS and ArcGIS. In statistical analyses, the regression model and Pearson correlation coefficient were employed. Findings: Results confirmed that ۵۳ percent of the villages under study were at a suitable or relatively suitable level with respect to the quality of executing guide plan, and the level of public participation in the implementation of guide plan was at an average level or higher in ۶۰ percent of the villages. Results of statistical analyses also indicated that there was a significant relationship between the participation level in the villages and the quality level of the implementation of guide plan. Research limitations/implications: Active cooperation of the authorities in five counties in Sistan region modified many of the existing limitations in carrying out this research. Nevertheless, the vast expanse of the study region and the difficulty in accessing the sample villages on the one hand and the need to complete the various questionnaires and field observation forms considered for this research on the other hand caused numerous difficulties and hardships and prolonged the implementation of the research. Practical implications: It is necessary that the Housing Foundation study the extent of participation of rural people and the required strategies for expanding public participation and take suitable measures prior to the implementation of guide plans. For this purpose, considering the effective role village managers, members of the Islamic Council of villages and local experts play in enhancing participation of rural people in the implementation of guide plans, the existing potentials in villages must be utilized. Originality / Value: Considering the role and function of public participation in upgrading the quality of executing guide plans, the need for preparing the suitable groundwork for maximizing public participation in the implementation of this plan is emphasized.