The Analysis of Sustainable Small City Development: A Sustainable Method for Reducing Rural–Urban Population Migration from Rural Settlement to Big Cities Considering Golbaf, Iran

Abstract

In recent decades, rapid urbanization has presented many social, economic, cultural, environmental, and physical challenges and threats in big cities. Sustainable small city development (SSCD) is a sustainable utilised way for reducing the rural–urban population from rural settlements to big cities. In this regard, this research looks to analyze the role of five dimensions—economic, cultural, social, environmental, and physical indicators—in the Golbaf city development in Kerman County, Kerman province, Iran. For this purpose, this paper presents a scientific sustainable model in small cities development using the size of the sample (374 residents). These 374 cases have been selected by the Cochran formula. The SPSS software package 23 has been used to analyze data (T regression test). This research uses the analytic hierarchy process model to prioritize factors affecting the development of Golbaf city. In addition, this research has used the Friedman test to evaluate the similarity of important factors. The results of the research indicate that the environmental indicator is in the first rank and the two indicators of culture and economy are in the next rank of factors affecting the development of Golbaf city.