Analysis of quality of rural life in Iran using Fuzzy method

Fight against drought, rural-agricultural development and prevention of immigration of villagers require increasing the attractiveness of villages as a place for living and work which is considered as the most important development programs and protection component of Iran especially in recent years.
Measuring the rural life quality and identifying its improving factors, help policy makers increase the quality of life. Therefore, the present study measured the quality of life in villages using Fuzzy method.
To achieve accurate results, it is necessary to apply intelligent methods such as Fuzzy based on experts’ knowledge and statistical data. Considering the theoretical foundations and researches, different variables for rural life quality are divided into negative indices (drought and unemployment) and positive indices (social, health and education and infrastructure). Applying elite questionnaire, the weight of each index was determined and simultaneously, by using the census data of the year 90, the numerical value of these indices was calculated and entered into MATLAB software and the final value of quality of life in the provinces was determined.
Findings: Based on MATLAB sensitivity analysis, the most weighted quality of rural life indicators are: communications and transportation, trade, health, and hygiene. So, the rural areas which have better conditions regarding these indicators have a better rural quality of life. The results showed that Sistan, Kerman and Kermanshah provinces are in the crisis with regard to the most quality of life indices. Villages in the provinces of Golestan, Khorasan Razavi, Mazandaran and Tehran have the best quality of rural life. Alborz, Gilan and Lorestan provinces have the lowest quality of rural life.
The importance of transportation in economic development is to that extent that many scholars consider the economic increase in developing countries to be due to proper investment in the transportation sector. Moreover, the location of villages in the main roads and the use of and access to fast transportation vehicles make their communications with the surrounding areas and exchange of information and thoughts possible which lead to social and cultural development of the village.