محمدالیاس کریم

Participation in the governance of decentralized, small-scale natural systems has been widely explored as an approach to sustainable development and environmental management, particularly in local contexts. Given the inherently local character of the Sistan region (Iran), one promising strategy to support environmental conservation and local culture—while simultaneously revitalizing and renewing villages, preventing migration and unemployment, and enhancing infrastructure, welfare, services, and healthcare—is the development of sustainable eco-villages. Although numerous scientific studies have examined the management of tourist villages and ecosystems in other countries, similar research adopting a participatory approach involving local communities remains scarce in Iran. This study aims to investigate the level of participation, attitudes, and decision-making preferences of local residents and a panel of local experts regarding the development of tourist villages in the Sistan region, with a focus on sustainability and environmental management. Accordingly, 289 surveys were conducted in 2024  among local stakeholders, indigenous residents, and non-indigenous tourists in the Sistan region. The findings indicate that villages with tourism potential and ecological compatibility are generally preferred by individuals aged between 35 and 55 years, who also tend to have higher levels of education and income. These individuals express a strong desire to be involved in decision-making and local urban governance. Self-sufficiency and economic prosperity, utilization of natural potentials, and enhancement of social sustainability—such as adopting sustainable lifestyles and experiencing authentic rural living—are identified as the most influential factors encouraging tourist participation in establishing sustainable eco-villages. Furthermore, factor analysis revealed that among the various dimensions of eco-village and environmental characteristics, the economic and natural aspects hold the greatest significance. Specifically, among the different factors examined, "self-sufficiency and economic prosperity" ranked the highest in importance.