Utilizing Quantitative Patterns for Spatial Analyzing of Population in Spatial Planning of Rural Settlements Case Study: Khorasan Razavi Province

Spatial studies as the main tools for the detailed study of all tangible and intangible aspects of regions have special ranks among all kinds of planning. The conformity of this organization with physical environment forms the spatial structure of which is usually observed as a distributed and isotropic spatial structure, focus and polar, unbalanced and haphazard, random and balanced, spatially localized, decentralized and hierarchical (Asayesh, 2000, 146). In Iran, due to disparities in quality and quantity between urban and rural areas that have been intensified by transformational processes during recent decades, the need of finding ways out of the problem and mitigate disparities, especially in rural areas is discussed. Having spatial insight in planning and considering how to modify the size and space of rural settlements, considering the role and function of each large or small village in the settlement system and its relation to distribution of facilities on the one hand, and responsibilities on the other hand, has been emphasized as a scientific solution by many experts (Saidee, 2008, 1). Surveying the position of rural settlements in a geographical space is among the main priorities in spatial analysis of rural settlements in different areas. Recognizing the effects of demographic changes on spatial structure of rural settlements is the first step toward understanding the spatial organization and its consequences (Ganji, 2009, 58). Because ever changing phenomenon of population, as well as transformation in form of both place and time mobility, there will be permanent changes (Nick Kholgh, 1995, 45). The Khorasan Razavi Province is an example of the men timed issue. According to the census of Iranian Statistical Center (2006), the population of rural areas in the province is about 1780 thousand of total). 8.4%. This province includes the most rural population compared with the others. On the other hand, the average rural population of the province is 491, and in comparison with the country's (348%) shows difference. Studying rural population census in the period 1986- 2006 indicates that despite increasing population of the province during the period, the rate of rural population declines significant effects on the spatial distribution of the rural population and its classification. An important feature of this research is considering spatial dimensions of the mentioned changes. Accordingly, the research studies the population trends over the period 1986 to 2006 in terms of population, rural population levels, demographic trends, the number of villages and their average population in rural settlements.