The Analysis of the Ecosystem Capacity of Semirom County in the direction of Return Migration Planning

Document Type : Scientific Articles

Authors

• Zahra Sadat Fayyaz
• Ahmad Shahivandi
• Zahed Shafiei

Art University of Isfahan

10.22067/jrrp.v9i1.80672

Abstract

Purpose- Return migration acts as a driving force of development and a key incentive of prosperity in rural areas by fulfilling their potentials. Rapid population displacement in developing countries including Iran, reveals the necessity of return migration planning. Semirom is a county in Isfahan province with the highest rate of emigration based on the 2011 Census enjoying sufficient potentials to change this trend. The overall purpose of this study is to analyze the ecosystem capacity of Semirom in order to develop a return migration planning.
Design/methodology/approach- The research method is descriptive-analytical. As such, this study can be categorized as an applied research. The environmental, social, economic, and managerial aspects are hereby considered. The questionnaire of Semirom situation assessment was analyzed using inferential statistics (t-test) by SPSS. Content analysis was conducted by interviewing officials using Atlas.ti software. Internal and external factors evaluation matrix and SOAR model were used to offer strategies. In the end, adaptive strategic alternatives are prioritized using the QSPM planning approach and policies for the realization of the return migration. Statistical population consists of the residents and authorities of Semirom county.
Findings- The findings indicate that the most important factors affecting return migration are reinforcement of gardening, related industries and tourism attractions, improving the quality of welfare services, fostering the sense of belonging, and the availability of fertile soil and sufficient irrigation water. Accordingly, the strategy of "appropriate management of tourism and environmental spaces for proper utilization of natural resources" should be given priority. It is also suggested that proper utilization of natural resources and tourism along with the potential of eco-tourism can offer a great opportunity for sustainable employment. This requires efficient management of new approaches and providing a secure environment for investment and entrepreneurship. In other words, considering the potentials of tourism will improve the quality of amenities, infrastructure services and employment, which in turn can boost their quality of local life, and their willingness to stay permanently in their rural residence, which ultimately encourages immigrants to return to their homeland.

Keywords

• Migration
• return migration
• Ecosystem
• Semirom County

---

References

1. Abdollahi, A. (1395/2016). Investigating factors influencing return migration (Case study: Tulesh Khalkhal village). Third International Conference on Research in Technology Engineering, Georgia. [In Persian]

2. Afrakhteh, H., Monafi Azar, R., & Velaei, M. (1395/2016). Spatial-spatial effects of return migration in Miandoab County. Journal of Rural Planning and Research, 1, 83-98. [In Persian]

3. Ahadnejad Rushti, M., Yari Gholi, V., & Ojaklu, R. (1393/2014). The role of social capital in sustainable local development (Case study: Narmak district, Tehran). Urban Sociological Studies, 12, 25-50. [In Persian]

4. Alibabaei, M., & Jomepour, M. (1395/2016). The process and pattern of return rural migration and its determinants (Case study: Hajilo District - Kaboodarang County). Journal of Rural Research and Planning, 4, 91-105. [In Persian]

5. Alikhani, M., Khodayari, J., Dehnavi, M., & Verijkazemi, J. (2013). A conceptual model of entrepreneurship development and employment of rural new approach. International Journal of Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Science, 1(5), 500-506.

6. Awumbila, M., Kofi Teye, J., & Awetori Yaro, J. (2016). Social networks, migration trajectories and livelihood strategies of migrant domestic and construction workers in Accra, Ghana. Journal of Asian and African Studies, 57(2), 1-15.

7. Azami, A., & Rezvani, M. (2008). Analyzing the vision document of Malaysia development in rural and agricultural sector. Business Studies, 33, 74-89.

8. Beale, C. L. (1977). The recent shift of United States population to nonmetropolitan areas, 1970-75. International Regional Science, 2, 113-122.

9. Bordt, M. (2015). Land and ecosystem condition and capacity. Retrieved from http:// doc.teebweb.org/ wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ANCA-Tech-Guid-3.pdf.

10. Cromartie, J., Reichert, C., & Arthun, R. (2015). Factors affecting former residents' returning to rural communities. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), (185), 1-37.

11. De Haas, H., T. Fokkema, M., & Fassi, F. (2015). Return migration as failure or success? the determinants of return migration intentions among moroccan migrants in Europe. Int. Migration & Integration, 415-429.

12. Demurger, S., & Xu, H. (2011). Return migrants: The rise of new entrepreneurs in rural China. World Development. Elsevier, 39(10), 1847-1861.

13. Design and Development. (1394/2015). Report of development plan and construction (Comprehensive) of Semirom. Isfahan Province General Road and Urban Development Department, Isfahan, Iran. [In Persian]

14. Ebrahimi, A. (1395/2016). Explaining the status of return migration in the reconstruction of villages in northern Ardabil province. Journal of New Attitudes in Human Geography, 4, 173-192. [In Persian]

15. ErdönmezI, C., & ÖzdenII, S. (2009). Relations between rural development projects and urban migration: The Köykent Project in Turkey. Ciencia Rural, Santa Maria, 39(6), 1873-1879.

16. Esfahan Province Management and Planning Organization. (1397/2018). Analysis of immigration trends in Isfahan province. Tehran: State Planning and Budget Organization. [In Persian]

17. Ferri, A., & Rainero, S. (2010). Survey of European Union and return migration policies: The case of Romanian migrants. IFAD, (67), 1-64.

18. Filipi, G., Galanxhi, E., Nesturi, M., & Grazhdani, T. (2014). Return migration and reintegration in Albania. INSTAT & IOM, (5), 1-68.

19. Fleischer, A. (2013). The role of the family for return migration, reintegration and re-emigration in Armenia. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320615498.

20. Forouzani, M., Yazdan Panah, M., & Farajam, R. (1393/2014). Capacity development of rural communities, a collaborative and effective strategy for sustainable ecological utilization (Case study: Seyedan District in Marvdasht County). National Conference on Sustainable Ecology and Development, Arak. [In Persian]

21. Ghasemi, M., Javan, J., & Saberi, Z. (1393/2014). Analyzing the causes of return migration in rural areas of Binalud town. Geographical Studies of Dry Areas, 16, 15-37. [In Persian]

22. Gomez, E. (2011). The complexity of theories on rural development in Europe: An analysis of the paradigmatic case of Almeria (South-east Spain). European Society for Rural Sociology, (51), 54-78.

23. Hagen-Zanker, J. (2008). Why do people migrate? MGSoG, WP002, (4), 1-25.

24. Hirvonen, K., & Bie Lilleør, H. (2014). Going back home: Internal return migration in rural Tanzania. University of Sussex, 77, 1-32.

25. Ja'fari, T. (1395/2016). Evaluation of ecotourism potentials of Besh Qardash in Boknurd using SWOT model. Journal of Tourism Spaces, 9, 37-68. [In Persian]

26. Kazemi Sani Aytaullah, N. (1394/2015). Rural development planning system in Turkey. Development Strategy, 44, 143-166. [In Persian]

27. Kunuroglu, F., Van de Vijver, F., & Yagmur, K. (2016). Return migration. Psychology and Culture, 8(2), 1-28.

28. Liang, Z., Chunyu, M. D., & Wu, Y. (2013). Interprovincial return migration in China: Individual and contextual determinants. Environment and Planning, 45(12), 1-35.

29. Likens, G. E. (1992). The Ecosystem approach: Its use and abuse. Department of Zoology, University of Adelaide, Australia.

30. Lohnert, B. (2017). Migration and the rural-urban transition in Sub-Saharan Africa. Centre for Rural Development (SLE), (5), 1-78.

31. Manafi Azar, R., Abdollahi, A. A., Alizadeh, T., Welaei, M., & Ghasemi Ardahai, A. (1396/2017). Return migration and its consequences for rural settlements (Case sudy: Baroque district in Miandoab County). Planning Studies of Human Settlements, 38(1), 179-197. [In Persian]

32. Mirfallah Nasiri, N.A., Delazimi, F., & Sabaghi, S. (1395/2016). Is return migration taking place in the country? Journal of Statistics, 20, 14-20. [In Persian]

33. Mukhtar, U., Zhong, Z, Tian, B., Razzaq, A., Naseer, M., & Hina, T. (2018). Does rural-urban migration improve employment quality and household welfare? Evidence from Pakistan Sustainability, 10(11), 1-14.

34. Naderi, S. (1390/2011). Industrial Development, return migration factor. Journal of Export Development Bank of Iran, 99, 1-52. [In Persian]

35. Nouri, H.A., & Nowrouzi Awargani, A. (1395/2016). The basics of environmental planning for sustainable rural development. Isfahan: University of Isfahan. [In Persian]

36. Nzima, D., Duma. V., & Moyo. P. (2016). Theorizing migration development interactions: Towards an integrated approach. Migration and Development, 6(2), 1-14.

37. Okali, D., Okpara, E. & Olawoye, J. (2001). Rural-urban interactions and livelihood strategies series: The case of Aba and its region, Southeastern Nigeria. London: Routledge.

38. Paparusso, A., & Ambrosetti, E. (2017). To stay or to return? Return migration intentions of Moroccans in Italy. International Migration, 55(6), 1-19.

39. Permata Bachtiar, P., & DWI Prasetyo, D. (2017). Return migration and various reintegration programs for low-skilled migrant workers in Indonesia. Smeru, 8(1), 1-49.

40. Poursadeghi, Q. (1393/2014). Ecosystem analysis in sustainable urban development horizons: Compiling a baseline table of the effective ecosystem measures based on key field indicators in metropolitan areas. First International Congress of New Horizons in Architecture and Urban Development, Tehran. [In Persian]

41. Qasemi Ardahai, A., & Nobakht, R. (1395/2016). A study of the causes and determinants of return migration trends in Iran. Journal of the Iranian Demographic Association, 21, 41-70. [In Persian]

42. Rabbani, R., Taheri, Z., & Rusta, Z. (1390/2011). Investigating the reason for return migration and its effects on socioeconomic development (Case study: Migrants of Tonekabon and Ramsar towns). Journal of Urban Research and Planning, 5, 83-108. [In Persian]

43. Reichert, C., Cromartie, J. B., & Arthun, R. (2014). Impacts of return migration on rural U.S. communities. Rural Sociology, 79(2), 200-226.

44. Rokneddin Eftekhari, A., & Saojasi Ghidari, H. A. (1392/2013). Rural development with emphasis on entrepreneurship. Tehran: SAMT. [In Persian]

45. Shen, L., Kyllo, J., & Guo, X. (2013). An integrated model based on a hierarchical indices system for monitoring and evaluating urban sustainability. Sustainability, 5, 524-559.

46. Shojaei, J. (1392/2013). Population planning policies. Population Quarterly, 85, 21-42. [In Persian]

47. Wang, W. (2004). Urban-rural return labor migration in China: A case study of Sichuan and Anhui provinces. Department of Geography UCLA.

48. Wang, W., & Fan, C. (2006). Success or failure: Selectivity and reasons of return migration in Sichuan and Anhui. Environment and Planning, 38, 939 -958.

49. World Economic Forum. (2017). Migration and its impact on cities. 1-172.

50. Yuliastuti, N., Wahyono, H., Syafrudin, S., & Sariffuddin, S. (2017). Sustainability article dimensions of community and local institutions’ support: Towards an Eco-Village Kelurahan in Indonesia. Sustainability, 9, 1-19.