Evaluating the Function of Small Towns in Regional Development by Using Network Analysis Method (Case Study: Khormoj Town, Bushehr Province)

In recent decades many developing countries are facing unbalanced settlement system and regional inequalities due to the concentration of population, activities and services in large cities. In the other words, the unbalanced distribution of activities and services in the country causes extensive migrations to large cities and this gradually creates many problems in the settlement system. Therefore, in order to decentralize the big cities and achieve regional balance and development, the attention of urban and regional planners to small towns has been focused. Inequality and imbalance in the optimal distribution of services and facilities in the Bushehr province, which is one of the southern provinces of the country, has caused the unbalanced distribution of population in the province and the collapse of the settlement system. In this regard, the purpose of this research is to evaluate the function of the town of Khormoj as a small town in the regional balance and development of Bushehr province. For this purpose, Network Analysis method has been used which is one of the effective methods for determining the relationships and functional flows between the settlements of a region. In the paper, the methodology based on the objective is applied and based on the nature of the research is descriptive- analytical method. Also, the information is compiled through library studies and documents review. The results of the research show that the town of Khormoj can play a significant role in regional development and be selected as an appropriate destination for occupation and residence.