Analysis of Location Disparities in Rural Areas Development in Zanjan Province

In process of rural development and planning, the measurement and analysis of location disparities in rural development is very important, and is guiding the planners for preparing of integrated development project and plans. In this paper using 27 indicators and applying the Morits’s Index, is measured the developing levels of rural areas in Zanjan province in economic, social, and physical matters, and then is analyzed the location disparities in rural development. The results of studies indicate high disparities in development of rural areas. The developed and developing rural areas is located mainly in the province east, while the undeveloped and less developed areas is located in the east, south and north. The development levels of rural areas have meaningful correlation with variables of the distance from development pivots and counties centers, literacy rate, employment proportion in confirm activities and population growth rate. These disparities can be explained with core-periphery theory. For the integrated development of rural areas, the decentralization in development of the Zanjan province is necessary by establishment of the development pivots, the creation and support of the town, rural centers and industrial zones in less developed rural areas.