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During the past five decades, several factors caused the considerable number of villages to be exposed to de-populating and are ultimately abandoned. of villages Considering the large size of rural depopulation, it is important to study the ways by which the economic functions of such villages can persist despite this depopulation trend. Using life cycle theory in conjunction with basic principles of applied geography and mainstream rural planning and development theories, this study has tried to investigate how the existing natural resources and other potentials of such depopulating of rural areas could be used to maintain the economic functionality of these areas despite their depopulation. This study has tested the following hypotheses: Despite the depopulation of rural areas their economic functions continues. In doing so, three different types of questionnaires (54 villages, 160 head of households living in villages and 104 immigrant households) were designed in The case of Qazwin area. Findings show that the economic functions of the depopulating rural areas have continued.

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From the beginning of human life, individuals try to improve living conditions and to achieve better quality of life. After centuries of efforts of human and getting experienced, industry as a dominant approach has attracted significant attention especially in developing countries. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to measure the of effects of Khayyam Industrial Township and objective quality of Neyshabur rural life. The descriptive-analytical method is based on documentary surveys, field surveys and filling in a questionnaire. Data are analyzed by using Spss software. The results of t – test analyses supported the hypothesis concerning equality of the indices of Social, economic and infrastructural dimensions in elements of hygienic and, therapeutic, entertainment, Social and housing investments. However, the findings rejected this hypothesis for the elements of education, employment, income, infrastructures and facilities. In this connection, significant difference was also found between the objective life quality of villages before and after their employment at the industrial township, because 135 participants (81.32%) stated that their life quality increased after they were employed. The Z value (- 8.421, p< 0.001) also confirmed these findings.

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This study aimed to assess the impact of watershed management projects on quality of life in rural areas of Babol County. The statistical population includes 5225 heads of households in eight villages targeted for watershed management projects in Babol County in which 300 samples were selected by Cochran Formula. Based on appropriate allocation among three groups of villages with strong, medium and weak watershed management activities samples were selected. Random sampling method was used to select head of households within villages. A questionnaire was used in order to collect data and its face and content validity was verified using comments of faculty members and local experts and reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed according to calculate Cronbach's alpha between 0.68 to 0.96. Results of one-sample t-test showed that quality of life level in villages with strong and medium watershed management activities were lesser than average. While in villages with weak watershed management activities the level of quality of life was greater than average. Five components of quality of life were compared among three groups of villages through one-way ANOVA test. Result showed that average means of economical, physical and environmental components in villages with weak watershed management activities were better than two other groups. While assessing social components showed that the situation in villages with strong watershed management activities was better than other two groups. The results of this research revealed that large watershed management projects with long-term effect have on contribution on quality of life in rural areas. Moreover small biological projects which objective and tangible effect on livelihood activities has more contribution on quality of life in rural areas.

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Changes resulting from changes in land use and land cover is one of the most important factors in the instability of rural settlements in recent decades. Monitoring of land cover pattern and simulation of future changes is an essential and vital issue for Planning of Ecological Resource Management. this issue in  natural environment of guilan due to unique forest conditions  is crucial in  the  sustainability of rural settlements.

This study analyzed changes in land cover of rural areas at East guilan (AstanehAshrafieh, Siahkal, Lahijan & Langerood with area of 2260 km2) over 3 periods. 1989-TM, 2000 –ETM & 2015 land sat 8 images were processed. In order to prediction of changes in land cover untill 2030probability matrix of changes in 6 classes (including urban, rice field, gardens, water source, forests & lands without cover) was calculated. all analyses were performed using markov chain model & cellular automata. Results of changes detection between 1989- 2015 show that area of rice fields, forests & lands without cover has been decreased, but area of   urban regions & gardens has been increased.

According to these results, instability of rural settlements will escalate, if there is no fundamental action in making policy for conservation of resources. Results of simulation of future confirms this issue as well. Assessments predict that until 2030, area of rice fields will be reduced 800 hectares. area of urban regions and gardens will be increased respectively 5300  and 4500 hectares.

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Economic problems are one of the main issues and problems in rural development and planning of the country. As can be seen in most cases, rural capitalists are reluctant to invest in rural areas. Accordingly, the goal of this research the reasons for this are the unwillingness of returning capitalists with rural roots to their rural homelands and investing in the countryside. For this purpose, Carpet weavers with rural roots residing in Mashhad were selected as sample. The research method was qualitative and the data were collected through questionnaires and interviews. In the following Carpet weaving villages were selected in the towanty and after visiting the villages that have had the most experience in carpet production (Pyweh Gan, Bulgur and Kazemabad (. The capitalists in this industry were identified and using the snowball sampling method of 25 rural activists were selected as sample. Also exploratory factor analysis and t-test were used to analyze the findings. The results showed that the averages were higher than the average this is indicative of the widespread problems facing the industry in rural areas. Also the results of factor analysis showed Factors such as lack of marketing and access to the sales market, lack of necessary infrastructure, and lack of advanced technology in the villages are factors affecting the lack of investment in the village.