Typological process of urban-rural districts in warm and arid climate cities in Iran

In the expansion of cities and the integration of villages, various types of urban-rural district based on context characteristics have emerged. Each species is involved in a level of environmental in equalities that are created in the integration process. The first step in dealing with these issues is identifying these types. Cities in warm and dry climate in Iran are clear examples of hori zontal development and integrating surrounding villages. the pur pose of this study is explain the typological process and determine the types of urban-rural district in warm and arid climate cities Therefore, three cities of warm and arid climate of Iran, that are close to each other in population, area and level of activity, includ ing Yazd, Kerman and Kashan are selected. Selecting similar cities (middle cities) and implicit attention to the multidimensional typology, with relying on the results of meth odological experiences of urban and rural Settlements typology and also considering the rural-urban form and the location of the village relative to the city, three factors are explained: “ physi cal-oriented”,”community-oriented” and”natural-oriented”. In the typological process of 35 mixed urban-rural areas, using cluster analysis and k-means method, three general species are identified: “rural based urban district” with dominant urban characteristics, “urban-rural areas” with both rural and urban characteristics but urban domination and “rural-urban areas” with dominant rural characteristics but rural domination. The interpretation of these species shows their significant differ ences in conceptual (urban domination or rural domination), phys ical (share of city area, building and population density, type of development including endogenous development, urban edge ex pansion, exogenous development, etc.) and functional (Socio-eco nomic status, merging process step) aspects. This research, by pre senting a process beyond formal and qualitative typology, and a measurable model in a Special climate, reaches a more realistic typology away from abstract ideas. The achievement of this re search can be the basis of research and action in improving the spatial quality of these areas in accordance with the specific char acteristics of each species.