Characteristics of 2003 -2008 Censuses and its impact on Policies and Planning of Rural Housing

Provision of proper housing and building a fabric environment in villages has constantly been the demand of people and high on the agenda of all post-Revolution Iranian governments. It has been among the explicitly stipulated cases in the Constitutional Law of the Islamic Republic of Iran.[1] Survey of the 5-year Development Plans drawn up after the Revolution indicates the move towards meeting the above objectives. In this regard, during the 30-year post-Revolution era, about 18469 rural master plan projects have been proposed and implemented.[2] Moreover, about 1700000 rural residential units were renovated by the end of March 2008. It is also estimated that within the 4th and the 5th Development Plans, 2 million more residential units will be renovated.[3]

In a great and vast country like Iran, which encloses diverse geographic, climatic, ethnic, and economical conditions, taking different areas' needs and differences into account is an essential affair, and an expertly review and consideration of these features in planning and implementation phases will result in taking better quality measures. However, due to inadequate information, most attempts at incorporating local characteristics in providing rural housing have resulted in failure. Therefore, improvement of the fabric of villages in different provinces in Iran has almost followed a similar pattern for years, the only difference being the number of constructed houses and the amount of allocated financial aids.

Expansion of rural development activities and emergence of greater understanding of this necessity in 2003 and 2008 resulted in the census of rural housing features. The census was taken in order to determine the above features, and reviewing and monitoring the transformation processes occurred in rural fabric section. The main objectives of this census include identification of rural housing features, gaining data on housing status in villages and comparing them with each other, and providing the required ground for preparation and development of the comprehensive plan of rural housing.

The assessment and analysis of the data of the above sampling-based census which was taken for the first time in Iran illustrated significant differences in housing conditions that can significantly help meet the real needs and improve the quality of rural housing and fabric. The present paper aims at presenting the experience and implementation process of the census plan, the questionnaire and converting its questions into statistical data as well as determining the samples, provincial distribution and a brief description of the results. Taking the experience of Iran into account, and making some modifications on it, this pattern can be set to be used in countries with similar status.  

Keywords: Iran, rural housing, sampling, sampling methodology, regional approach