Explicando los efectos económicos y ambientales de la calidad de vida sobre la
retención de la población en residencias rurales
Explaining the economic and environmental effects of quality of life on the retention of
population in rural residences
Nahid Goli
1
, Dr. Mehdi Jahani
2a
, Dr. Abolfazl Behnia-Far
3
Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran
123
Orcid ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9388-3110
1
Orcid ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2700-0196
2
Orcid ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5930-1540
3
Recibido: 28 de mayo de 2020 Aceptado: 27 de octubre de 2020
Resumen
El objetivo de este estudio fue explicar los efectos económicos y ambientales de la calidad de vida
en la retención de población en residencias rurales. Comprende una investigación aplicada, y en
términos de naturaleza y métodos, se considera descriptivo-analítico. Con el fin de recopilar datos,
se han realizado estudios de campo y estudios de biblioteca. Para ello, se preparó un cuestionario
índice basado en la Escala Likert y se distribuyó aleatoriamente entre los pobladores. La población
del estudio incluye 2570 individuos; sin embargo, utilizando la fórmula de Cochran, el tamaño de
la muestra del estudio se determinó como 356 individuos. Los cuestionarios recogidos se han
analizado mediante estadística descriptiva, prueba T y regresión multivariante. Los resultados
muestran que las ecuaciones estructurales, con un valor superior a 0.05 y un estadístico t de 1.072,
se registra el efecto del aspecto financiero de la calidad de vida sobre la retención de la población.
Además, los resultados también han manifestado que el aspecto ambiental de la calidad de vida
también es efectivo en el primero con un valor de 0,05 y un estadístico t de 2,017, que es superior
al valor crítico de 1,96. Se puede concluir que el aspecto ambiental de la calidad de vida es
significativamente efectivo en la retención de la población en las residencias rurales; sin embargo,
considerando el coeficiente de trayectoria obtenido de 0,208, se concluye que el aspecto
económico de la calidad de vida no tiene efectos significativos conocidos sobre la retención de la
población en las zonas rurales.
Palabras clave: Economía, ciencia ambiental, calidad de vida, vida rural, Irán
a
Corresponding Author: E-mail: j.jahani@yahoo.com
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Apuntes Universitarios,
2021: 11(1), enero-marzo
ISSN: 2304-0335 DOI: https://doi.org/10.17162/au.v11i1.574
apuntesuniversitarios.upeu.edu.pe
Abstract
The objective of this study was to explaining the economic and environmental effects of quality
of life on the retention of population in rural residences. This shows an applied research, and in
terms of nature and methods, it is considered as a descriptive-analytical one. For the purpose of
data collection, field studies and library studies have been conducted. To this end, an index
questionnaire based on the Likert Scale was prepared and randomly distributed among the
villagers. The population of the study includes 2570 individuals; however, using the Cochran’s
formula, the sample size of the study was determined as 356 individuals. The collected
questionnaires have been analyzed through descriptive statistics, T-test and, multivariate
regression. Results show that structural equations, with a value of over 0.05 and t-statistic of 1.072,
the effect of the financial aspect of life quality on retention of population is recorded. In addition,
the results have also manifested that the environmental aspect of quality of life is also effective on
the former with a value of 0.05 and t-statistic of 2.017, which is higher than the critical value of
1.96. Finally, it can be concluded that the environmental aspect of life-quality is significantly
effective on retention of population in rural residences; however, considering the obtained path
coefficient of 0.208, it is concluded that the economic aspect of life quality is not of any known
significant effects on retention of population in rural areas.
Keywords: Economics, environmental studies, quality of life, rural life, Iran
Introduction
The quality of life of residents is a concept that has been widely used in lectures and
development programs over the centuries. It is used to provide a better life for people by upgrading
it Which is a multi-level and fluid concept that expresses the happiness and well-being of people
(Horváth & Jónás-Berki, 2018). For the other hand, retention of rural population in villages is
consistently related to the issue of Rural-Urban migration. On this basis it is expected that a
majority of reasons causing such migrations are followed by migration of villagers from rural
areas. One reason for this phenomenon is the economic problems present in the atmosphere of
villages (Mathew & Sreejesh, 2017).
Issues such as explicit and implicit unemployment, instability and insufficiency of income,
rural poverty and others, which usually emerge in structures in which occupational agriculture and
especially farming activities, have a high share of employment and income in absence of other
sources (Su & Swanson, 2017). In order to mitigate the negative effects of such issues and to improve
the life-level of villagers which in turn results in less rural-urban migration , several different
strategies have been proposed (Alavi Zadeh, 2013).
In general, if the income of rural households is insufficient, the motivation for migrating
to cities and taking part in other economic activities will be so robust that it will cause in lack of
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retention of households in the villages, especially under the current circumstance of day-to-day
increase in the differences between urban and rural communities (Mir Latifi, 2013). Rural-Urban
migration is a phenomenon that emerged throughout the industrialization process of countries
which is the main cause of many of the atmospheric and social changes in communities (Zhang Et
al, 2016).
In the country of Iran, as cities began to industrialize, the process of employment of
unemployed youngsters in the agriculture sector commenced in the favor of industrial and service-
provision-related activities (Rostamalizadeh, 2013). The process of extensive migration and
exiting of young and active population from villages endangers the sustainability of rural
communities. One way to mitigate rural-urban migrations is to improve the sustainability of life
quality in rural areas, which covers equality, sustaining cultural variability, improving the quality
of life and generally, any kind of change in economic activities that would result in improvement
of life quality (Noorbakhsh, 2012). Currently, the level of life quality in rural areas being low, and
resultantly migration of rural people to large cities has caused several social, economic, and
environmental issues in both cities and villages (Mohammadi, 2014).
Definition of life quality
Life quality is defined as the general welfare of an individual. The World Health
Organization (WHO) defines life quality as people’s individual perception of their condition in
life in terms of culture, goals, expectations, standards, concerns and the value-system in which
they live (WHO QOL, 2010). In the view of Foo, life quality is defined as an indicator of
individuals’ general satisfaction with their lives (Foo, 2017). Based on all observations, quality of
life is viewed as an extensive concept covering physical health, mental condition, freedom and,
the relations between an individual and environmental characteristic (Clarke & Marshall, 2000).
Quality of life focuses on the entire aspects of life (Cultural, Social, Environmental, Physical,
hygienic, and the system of local value). Quality is defined as modality and so the abbreviation
“QoL” (Quality of Life) lexically points to the manner of life including the differences, however
it’s unique and distinct per person (Barany, 2014). In addition, in terms of terminology, the Persian
Dictionary of Amid defines it also as manner, modality and, state (Amid Dictionary). Quality of
life is universally a constituent of individual activities that project a desirable reflection for any
aspect of life. The present study focuses on individuals’ emotional reactions to life events, sense
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of life, needs and satisfaction, manners, and, satisfaction with occupational and personal
relationships (Diener, 1997).
Furthermore, in literature also the expression of “quality of life” denotes “welfare”, a
significant factor in uptake of development (Clarkel, 2015). Leo (1983) defines quality of life as a
bold naming for the same old concept of economic and mental well-being in the living place. Smith
defines quality of life as social well-being, while Andrews defines it as public welfare and Muller
(1983) defines it as individuals’ and categories’ welfare under general socioeconomic conditions.
Yet another scholar views quality of life as the conditions of the environment in which people live;
including pollution, quality of housing, as well as some personal traits and conditions among the
public such as health and education (Pecione, 2017). Quality of life is a multidimensional
subjective notion (Nilson, 2016), and it can be considered as individuals’ perception of their
position in life in terms of culture and value of their residence, considering the former’s
expectations and standards (Andrews, 1974). As a construct, quality of life has recently been the
subject of several studies in various fields such as medicine, sociology, philosophy, and
psychology; however, there is no sign of any extensively accepted single standard definition for
quality of life (Pal & Kumar, 2018). This is because many researchers believe that quality of life
is a multidimensional relative notion affected by time, place and, personal and social value
(Rezvani, 2019).
Theoretical Basics
Quality of life is not a newly introduced notion, rather it even existed in the Greek
Philosophy and Aristotle has pointed to it in his discussion regarding physical happiness
(Poorzaheri, 2012). Nevertheless, even different fields of science have agreed upon different
definitions of the formerly mentioned notion, however, in general quality of life can be considered
as a criterion for understanding the citizens’ conditions and their levels of satisfaction by the true-
coming of those needs that are related to the dimensions of life (Anabestaani, 2013). Having a
desirable quality of life has always been and is a wish for the mankind (Qanbari, 2014).
The history of development of the concept of quality of life dates back to the era in which
Aristotle lived around 385 B.C. As early as the time was, Aristotle defined happiness as having a
good life or well completion of tasks. In addition, while discussing physical or the bodily
happiness, he has pointed to quality of life as well. Aristotle has also been quoted to define
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happiness as some sort of dignified activity for the soul. Aristotle, has also expressed that
happiness is the product of individuals dignified and valuable activities and guides the mankind
towards a good life. Serious discussions focusing quality of life began only in the 1930s, but luckily
since that time researchers from various science fields have studied the concept of quality of life;
resulting in various versions of definitions each fitting a certain geographic area (Barimani, 2014,
586). In 1955, when an international association was founded to study the concept of quality of
life, studying the notion in various fields of science began to institutionalize, and so figures such
as Jean Paul Sartre and others began to pay attention to it while discussing the individual’s inner
states (Poortaheri, 2012, 14). In 1960s, this concept began to gain interests from the field of social
sciences as well (Rezvani, 2019, 36). It was only through the former decade that it turned out that
economic growth and development are not the only factors required for improving the quality of
life of a nation (Dos, 2008, 233).
As the economic approach of life quality began to emerge in the 1960s and 1970s, quality
of life began to be evaluated as welfare only. However, opposing to such views, Koant states that
there are certain subjective dimensions that are effective in quality of life. During the late decades
of the 20
th
Century, with the expansion of urbanism, especially in less-developed countries, several
regional atmospheric, social and economic inequalities have emerged along with multiple
challenges that have occurred in human residences, especially the rural areas, under the shadow of
development plans and policies. These inequalities have been followed by various social and
economic issues such as rural-urban migration (Andrews & Withey, 1976).
On this basis, many scholars and scientists have tried to focus their attention on the concept
of rural life quality (Barimani, 2014). It seems that with respect to the multitude of scientific fields
involved with the subject of life quality, it would be extremely difficult, challenging and or even
maybe inappropriate to categorize this concept under a single field of science (Hosseini, 2015).
The main problem is that there is no specific universally agreed upon and accepted definition for
quality of life (Cramer, Seven & Einar, 2004). In fact, quality of life can be defined differently
under the effects of the individual’s mental and physical health, freedom, and social relations with
the environment, plus other factors including personal satisfaction, dimensions of life and etc.
(Ruževičius, 2012).
Geography of the Study
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The region under study was the sector of Razavie, located in the province of Khorasan
Razavi, found in the south-east line of the Kashf Rood Valley. This region is geographically
surrounded by specific and yet special natural elements that set clear boundaries for the area. In
this regard, the region is on the northern and eastern directions limited by the mountains of Kape
Daq and Hezar Masjed, and on the western direction leads to Kaal Taraq, and on the southwestern
direction is limited by the sawed-off mountains of Khaje Morad. In addition, in terms of relative
position, this region is on the northern and northwestern sides surrounded by the central region,
while leading from the east to the Marzdaran areas and from the northeast to kalat, from west to
Ahmad Abad sector and, from the south to the city of Fariman. The sector was established in 1992
and includes three villages (Miami, Abravan and Pain Velayat) and one town (Razavie). In the
census conducted by the government of the Islamic republic of Iran back in 2012, the region’s
population was stated to be 50169 individuals (13566 Households), and in the census conducted
in 2017, the numbers increased to 59232 individuals (16796 Households).
Fig 1: The region under study
Reference: Iran’s Statistics Center (2017)
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Research method
In terms of objective, the present study is considered as an applied-developmental research,
while in terms of nature, applied methods, and data collection manners, it is considered as a
descriptive-analytical survey study. To collect the required data, firstly the various intellectual
basics related to the subject matter were extracted from previously published domestic and foreign
studies and were subsequently categorized. Afterwards, the research variables were extracted from
a questionnaire form corresponding to the objectives of the study that was randomly distributed
among the villagers. The demographic features of the population of the study have been
investigated using the SPSS V.25 and the Excel 2016 software. The raw data yielding from 356
collected questionnaires were analyzed through the Structural Equations Technic using the Smart
PLS v.3.0 software; after all, the raw data have been proposed as information once processed. The
population of the study includes any village with over 100 households in the region of Razavie.
While selecting the sample villages, first of all the villages were grouped based on the population
information of the 2012 and 2017 censuses. Ultimately, considering the populations 20% of the
villages (12 villages) were selected as the sample. Since evaluating the retention of population in
villages, identifying the factors effective on sustainability of the villages and also proposing the
required solutions for maintaining the sustainability of rural areas are of high value, necessity and
importance, the present study has tried to check the validity of the following hypotheses:
1- The economic dimension of life quality is positively effective on the retention of population
in rural residences.
2- The environmental dimension of life quality is positively effective on the retention of
population in rural residences.
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Table 1
The population of the study
County
Village
Total
Population
Households
Miami
Kal Choqoki
978
276
Miami
Chenarak
1695
449
Miami
Mirinkash
379
117
Pain Velayat
Kalateh
Menar
276
82
Pain Velayat
Qarne Sofla
314
83
Pain Velayat
Derakht Bid
193
55
Pain Velayat
Shurak
Maleki
1151
310
Pain Velayat
Kalate
Mirzajani
715
188
Abravan
Narimani
Sofla
1772
502
Abravan
Abravan
1067
316
Abravan
Dom Roobah
356
93
Abravan
Giami
320
99
Total
9216
2570
Findings
Considering the results of descriptive inspection of the views of the respondents regarding
each question on the questionnaire, the abundance, validity percentage and the average values
regarding each question have been reported. The items have been valued as 5: very high, 4: high,
3: average, 2: low, and 1: very low. Average values above 3 (the middle point of 5-degree Likert
Scale) shows higher agreement, denoting selection of high and very high choices by the
respondents. If the significance value of this test is lower than 0.05, it is concluded that the choices
have not been selected equally; however, if they obtained significance value is higher than 0.05, it
is concluded that the respondents have selected similar choices.
Descriptive investigation of items relating to the economic dimension
The economic dimension of life quality is comprised of three components namely as
employment, income, and investment. The following table presents the descriptive statistics of
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these items. The significance value calculated by the Chi-Do test was smaller than 0.001 for the
entire questions; therefore, not all the questions have been reported in the table.
Table 2
Descriptive statistics of the items relating to the economic dimension
Component
Index
Very
Low
Low
Average
High
Very
High
Median
Employment
Abundance
22
57
131
138
8
3
Income
Abundance
34
109
182
27
4
3
Investment
Abundance
25
101
195
32
2
3
While investigating the question of “state of employment in the sector of services” it has
been observed that in most cases the choice of “high” is selected by the respondents (38.8%).
Furthermore, regarding the question of “state of access to proper jobs in adjacent villages” it has
been observed that most respondents (39%) have chosen the “Average” choice. While
investigating the item of “income from the agriculture” it has been observed that most respondents
have selected the “Average” choice (51.1%). Nevertheless, while investigating the item of “income
from the industry” it has been observed that most respondents have selected the “Average” (45.5%)
choice. Also, regarding the item of “income from the services sector” it can be seen that most
respondents have selected the “Average” (42.7%) choice.
Investigating the statistics relating to the item of “income from livestock” revealed that
most respondents (54.9%) have selected the choice “Average”. Investigating the item of
“investment in agriculture” reveals that most respondents have selected the choice “Average”
(44.4%). Investigating the item of “investment in livestock” showed that most of the respondents
have selected the choice “Average” (48.9%). Elaborating on the statistics relating to the item of
“investment in real estate” showed that most of the respondents have selected the choice “Average”
(40.7%). While investigating the question of “investment in industry” it was revealed that in most
cases the respondents have selected the choice “Average” (41.4%). Ultimately, also investigating
the statistics of the question of “investment in the sector of services” showed that most of the
respondents have selected the choice “Low” (45.5%).
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Descriptive Investigation of Items Relating to the Environmental Dimension
The environmental dimension is comprised of two components namely as quality of the
environment and, outlook and climate. The following table presents the descriptive statistics
relating to these items. In addition, the significance value calculated by the Chi-do test was smaller
than 0.001 for the entire question and so not all of the questions have been reported in the table.
Table 3
Descriptive investigation of items relating to the environmental dimension
Component
Index
Very
Low
Low
Average
High
Very
High
Median
Quality of
Environment
Abundance
46 81 114 91 21
3
Outlook and
Climate
Abundance
89 122 79 34 30
2
While investigating the item of “quality of sidewalks and cleaning of the village”, it was
turned out that most respondents (32.3%) had selected the choice “Average”. Elaborating on the
statistics relating to the “collection and disposal of surface waters” showed that most of the
respondents selected the choice “Low” (31%). Investigating the statistics relating to the item of
“collection of waste” showed that most respondents (32.3%) selected the choice “High”.
Investigating the item of “quality of cleaning and hygiene” showed that most respondents selected
the choice “High” (34.3%). Regarding the item of “access to water for farming” most respondents
selected the choice “Low” (34.5%). Elaborating on the statistics relating to the item of “number of
natural outlooks”, showed that most respondents have selected the choice “Average” (43.5%).
Nevertheless, investigating the statistics relating to the item of “amount of landscape” revealed
that most respondents have selected the choice “Average” (33.9%). Since the studied components
are comprised of more than one item with low scales, therefore it is necessary to select a proper
normality test for the research variables. The results are reported in the following table.
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Table 4
Testing the normality of research variables
Variable
Average
S.D
Skewedness
Elongation
Least
Highest
Employment
3.199
0.801
-0.698
0.162
1.00
4.50
Income
2.635
0.570
0.006
-0.237
1.00
4.00
Investment
2.596
0.601
-0.236
-0.035
1.00
4.00
Environment
Quality
2.884
0.933
-0.251
-0.853
1.00
4.50
Outlook and
Climate
2.609
1.090
0.607
-0.505
1.00
5.00
Economic
Dimension
2.810
0.500
-0.614
0.681
1.17
3.83
Environmental
Dimension
2.746
0.936
0.171
-0.554
1.00
4.75
Life Quality
3.092
0.675
-0.137
-0.895
1.67
4.47
Absolute values of skewedness coefficient of smaller than 3 and absolute values of
elongation of smaller than are considered as normal for the variables (Clean, 2010). As you can
see in table 5, for the entire variables of the study the values of skewedness and elongation
coefficients are located in the mentioned range, and their normality is accepted.
Comparing the dimensions of the study with the median
Since all 4 dimensions have normal distribution, we can use the one sample t-test to
compare the average values of the components with the value of 3 (the median of the 5-degree
Liker Scale). The results are reported in the following table:
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Table 5
Results of comparison of means of research dimensions with value 3 using t-test
Component
Count
Average
S.D
T-stat
F.D
Value
Result
Employment
356 3.199 0.801 4.697 355 0.000
Above
AVG.
Income
356 2.635 0.570 -12.078 355 0.000
Above
AVG.
Investment
356 2.596 0.601 -12.698 355 0.000
Above
AVG.
Environment
quality
356 2.884 0.933 -2.343 355 0.020
Above
AVG.
Outlook and
climate
356 2.609 1.090 -6.774 355 0.000
Above
AVG.
Economic
dim.
356 2.810 0.500 -7.170 355 0.000
Above
AVG.
Environmental
dim.
356 2.746 0.936 -5.109 355 0.000
Above
AVG.
Life quality
356
3.092
0.675
2.583
355
0.010
Above
AVG.
In t-test, if the divided by two measure of value equals a number smaller than 0.05, with
respect to the state of the t statistic (positive or negative), it can be concluded what the status of
the component of interest is. However, if the t-statistic is negative, the component under
investigation has an average of smaller than 3 in the sample. If the divided by two measure of
value equals a number smaller than 0.05, and the t-statistic is positive, it is concluded that the
component under investigation has an average of larger than 3 in the sample. On the other hand, if
the divided by two measure of the value is larger than 0.05, the average of the component under
investigation has no statistically significant difference with the median of 3 in the sample. In the
following table, the significance of the hidden paths between the hidden variables have been
statistically investigated using t-test.
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Table 6
Results of research structural model
Path
Standardized
Path
Coefficient
S.D
t-statistic
value
Result
Economic >
population
retention
0.051
0.047
1.072
0.284
Insignificant
Economic >
population
retention
0.208
0.103
2.017
0.044
significant
The general rule for deciding making with structural equations based on t-values implies
that if the absolute value of t-value for a certain coefficient is higher than 1.96, that coefficient will
be considered significant at a confidence of 95%.
Discussion
According to the results obtained from structural equations, the effect of economic
dimension of life quality on retention of population has been investigated, and the results show
that the economic dimension of life quality is not statistically of significant effects on retention of
population in rural areas; in the other words, the first hypothesis of the study is rejected under a
confidence of 95%.
Taking a look at table 8 shows that the economic status of villages in Narimani Sofla
(existence of employment opportunities, employment in services sector, being placed on the traffic
routs, population growth), Kal Choqoki (Access to proper jobs in adjacent villages, employment
in services section), Kalate Mirzajani (employment in agriculture), are in terms of employment, in
a better situation compared to the rest of the villages. However, in terms of the component of
income, the villages of Derakht Bid (properness of ranching because of being located on the slopes
of mountains, harvesting crops in different manners) and Narimani Sofla (suitability of the volume
and type of economic transactions with other areas, especially with the city of Mashhad; the most
income being generated by agriculture) are in a suitable situation. Nevertheless, in terms of the
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component of investment, the village of Narimani Sofla (privacy of the ownership of majority of
lands and residences) is of an almost suitable status, while other villages are unsuitably positioned.
Table 7
The status of economic dimension in villages under study
Village
Employment
income
Investment
Abravan
2.924
2.651
2.372
Chenarak
2.952
2.121
2.306
Derakht Bid
3.000
3.300
2.800
Dom rooba
2.231
2.500
2.231
Shurak Maleki
2.884
2.407
2.988
Qarne Sofla
3.000
2.773
2.000
Kal Choqoki
3.776
2.691
2.539
Kalate Menar
2.545
2.273
2.227
Kalate Mirzajani
3.692
2.962
2.500
Giami
2.536
2.321
2.179
Mirinkesh
2.813
2.156
2.625
Narimani Sofla
3.848
3.065
2.087
Total
3.199
2.635
2.596
According to the comparative statistics reported by table 7, it can be seen that the median
of the component under study is not similar for the villages of the study; according to these results,
the medians are not equal and so there exists significant differences, while the highest AVG. value
among the three components of the economic dimension is associated to the village of Narimani
Sofla.
The findings of this part of the study show that the effects of the economic dimension are
not positive on the quality of life, and this result is consistent with the result obtained by Rezvani
and Mansourian (2015); Poortaheri, Eftekhari & Fatahi (2012); Barani-Pesian (2015); Azizpoor &
Afrakhte (2015), Badri et al., (2014); however the results are inconsistent with the results obtained
by Qanbari et al., (2014); Anabestani & Roosta (2016); and Shariatpanahi (2019).
Other results of the study have shown that the environmental dimension of life quality is
of statistically significant effects on retention of population in rural areas; in the other words, the
second hypothesis of the study is accepted under a confidence of 95%.
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Investigating table 5 shows that the villages of Kalate Mirzajani, Narimani Sofla, Abravan,
Shurak Maleki (quality of sidewalks, hygiene and cleaning, collection of waste) are in terms of the
component of quality of environment in a better situation compared to other villages. In addition,
regarding the component of outlook and climate, the villages of Narimani Sofla, kal Choqoki
(access to enough farming water, existence of natural outlooks, landscape) are in a suitable
situation.
Findings of this section of the study show that the effects of the environmental dimension
have statistically significant and positive effects on quality of life. These results are consistent with
the results obtained by Mahdavi (2015); Badri (2014); Poortaheri & Eftekhari (2012); Rezvani &
Mansourian (2012); Beshaq et al., (2015); Riahi (2014), and Sheikhi (2018).
Conclusion
Considering the findings, solutions such as development of industrial activities for creating
more employment opportunities; improving the infrastructures of ranching; development and
expansion of infrastructures of on-the-road services with respect to requiring low capital but giving
high income and considering the fact that the village is located on the transit-route between
Sarakhs-Turkmenistan, development of maintenance services such as repair centers.
Considering the fact that certain transit routes pass through these villages, widespread of
greenhouse farming with respect to water deficiency in the villages, developing ranching
complexes outside the villages, changing farmers’ farming patterns and condensing the agriculture,
stopping construction in the vicinity of railways, development and amplification of the vegetation
to control the floods, equipping farms with novice irrigation systems, asphalting the main roads,
developing the landscapes, developing the sidewalks with pavements, constructing walking
bridges and underpasses in the old Mashhad-Sarakhs way for villages that are challenged by such
lacks.
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