Role of social capital in promoting sense of place: case of rural areas in Zaboul County

This research aimed to investigate role of social capital in promoting sense of place.This research was done by using questionnaire survey. The target population includes 26010 of rural people in Zabol County in which 310 people (heads of rural households) selected as samples of this research. Results showed that the sense of place of 27 %of respondents was measured at high level, 49% at mediate level and 24% at low level. According to correlation coefficient, there is a significant relationship between social capital and sense of place of respondents. The results of path analysis showed that “social capital” (with path coefficient 0.268) have most impact on final dependent variable, sense of place. Some variables such “occupation situation (0.249)” “education (-0.216)”, “receiving social services (0.207)”, “experience of membership in local institutions (0.197)”, “years of residence in village (0.308)”, “immigration of family members (-0.188)”, and “life satisfaction (0.156)” are in next rank. Overall, according to the research findings, using participatory approach to promote social capital and to enhance integrated community development could be led to increase sense of place and sustainable settlement in the rural areas of Zabol county.