Analysis of Rural Area Resilience Against Earthquake; Case Study: Shirvan District (Boroujerd County)

Abstract

Earthquake is one of the natural disasters that cause irreparable damages to human settlements. Therefore,\rin order to reduce its impact, the resilience approach has been proposed. It is believed that by having\rthe knowledge of resiliency and proper planning, the damaging effects of such natural disasters can\rbe reduced significantly. Thus, in this descriptive-analytic study, we identify and analyze the resiliency of\rvillages in the district of Shirvan against earthquakes. In order to collect the required data, both documentary\rand field (questionnaire) methods were employed. Questionnaires were used to collect data\rin nine villages, and statistical methods were used to analyze the collected data. The analysis units were\rthe heads of households living in sample villages. Based on Cochran’s method, 260 administrators were\rrandomly selected. The results showed that the resiliency condition against earthquakes in the sample\rvillages was lower than the average level; however, there was a significant difference in the resiliency\rlevels among the sample villages. In addition, among the economic, social, infrastructural, and social\rcapital aspects in rural areas, the social capital was found to have the most contribution and effect on\rthe resilience of rural settlements.