A Geopolitical Approach to the Spatial Planning: The Examination of Mutual Effects on Development and Security in Border Regions; Case Study: Khuzestan, Iran, 1979-2009

The following is a case report on a study was held on the border region of the province of Khuzestan, southwest of Iran. This border line with Iraq has experienced different events of conflict since the Islamic Revolution of Iran in 1979, such as the 8 year war between Iran and Iraq. Conflicts between Iran and Iraq at this region have been special to influence the security and development’s interrelations within the development process of the region and the country as a whole. This has to be considered by any development planning for the region, especially Spatial Planning. This was the main subject for doing a research held for the region with the aim to examine interrelations between development and security indicators in this border region.The main objective of this study is to answer questions on the mentioned above expected interrelations as they were set within the hypothesis. The hypothesis of the study examined in a term of 30 year between 1979- 2009, which has divided into two periods. This study is composed on the research methods and quantitative analysis conducted. It was found in this research that many aspects in border regions are related to each other, and they affect each other in an interactive systematic way. Development is related to security status in border regions. Border areas with rich economic structure such as Abadan and Mahshahr had higher security indicators than other regions that suffer higher rates of unemployment and poverty. Rregions with high indicators regarding security, are also defendable regions, and they have experienced a successful development process. This can be explained in term that security attracts economic activities and investment that are necessary for a successful development program.