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Local Community Perception of Land Subsidence Occurrence in Rural Areas: A Case Study: Bala Zahra Rural District (Buin Zahra County, Iran)
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Zeynab Valipour  , Farhad Azizpour * , Asghar Tahmasebi |
| kharazmi university |
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Abstract: (61 Views) |
Purpose: This qualitative study aimed to explore the local community’s perception of the causes, consequences, and coping strategies regarding land subsidence in three vulnerable villages (Khoonan, Esmatabad, Sadrabad) located in the Bala Zahra Rural District, Buin Zahra County, Iran.
Methodology: A phenomenological approach was adopted within an interpretive‑constructivist paradigm. Participants were 16 local residents, purposively sampled until theoretical saturation was achieved. Data were collected through semi‑structured interviews and analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding. Trustworthiness was established following Guba and Lincoln’s four criteria.
Findings: From the local community’s perspective, “institutional‑managerial weakness” (i.e., excessive groundwater withdrawal, illegal well drilling, and lack of effective monitoring) was identified as the primary driver of land subsidence. Participants perceived three categories of consequences: economic (weakened livelihoods, reduced agricultural productivity), socio‑cultural (outmigration, population decline), and physical (infrastructure destruction). Regarding coping strategies, they emphasized awareness‑raising, government support, modification of cropping patterns, and diversification of water resources.
Conclusion: These findings stand in sharp contrast to purely geological studies that highlight natural factors as the main cause of subsidence. Theoretically, rural residents’ local knowledge about this hazard is systematically structured; however, risk perception alone is insufficient to change behavior – structural factors (government financial support, effective monitoring) play a more decisive role. Accordingly, policymakers are advised to prioritize strengthening the monitoring of illegal wells, modifying cropping patterns, and providing subsidies for drip irrigation.
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| Keywords: Local community perception, Land subsidence, Rural vulnerability, Buin Zahra County. |
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2026/05/3 | Accepted: 2026/05/6
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