journal of sustainable rural development

journal of sustainable rural development

Morphological and Functional Changes in Post-Earthquake Rural Housing Reconstruction and Their Compatibility with Community Needs: Evidence from Zohan District, Iran

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Mehdi Saghafi 1
maryam rabiei gask 2
Mohammad Motamedi Rad 2
1 Corresponding Author, Department of Geography, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran.
2 Department of Geography Education, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran.
10.22034/jsrd.2026.570904.1237
Abstract
Purpose: Rural housing, as one of the fundamental physical elements of rural settlements, plays a decisive role in organizing livelihood systems and social patterns, and in improving the quality of life. In earthquake-prone areas, post‑disaster housing reconstruction provides an opportunity to enhance structural safety and improve living conditions. However, if the practical and social needs of residents are neglected, it may lead to physical and functional inconsistencies. This study aims to examine the physical and functional transformations of reconstructed rural housing following the earthquake and to assess the extent to which they meet the needs of the rural community in the Zohan District of Zirkuh County.

Methods: This study is descriptive–analytical and employs a survey method for data collection. The statistical population includes all households residing in 22 villages of Zohan District, where post‑earthquake reconstruction programs have been implemented. The sample size was determined to be 330 households using Cochran’s formula, and data were collected through a researcher-made questionnaire. The validity of the instrument was confirmed through expert review and previous studies, and its reliability was verified using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient (α > 0.70). Data analysis was conducted using Wilcoxon, McNemar, and paired t-tests in IBM SPSS Statistics.
Results: The results indicate that reconstruction has improved structural safety, the use of durable construction materials, and the quality of living spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms, and courtyards. In contrast, reductions in livelihood spaces, building area, and the number of rooms have been observed. Furthermore, the compatibility of housing with occupational needs and the level of household satisfaction decreased significantly.
Conclusion: Overall, despite improvements in structural safety, rural housing reconstruction has not achieved desirable compatibility with community needs due to the dominance of a technical–structural approach and insufficient attention to local livelihoods and cultural contexts. Therefore, revising reconstruction policies with a participatory and locally oriented approach appears essential.
Keywords
Rural Housing
Physical Transformations
Functional Transformations
Reconstruction
Zirkuh County, Iran
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journal of sustainable rural development

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 18 May 2026