Journal of Research and Rural Planning -پژوهش و برنامه ریزی روستایی

Purpose- This study aims to examine the delivery and quality of rural tourism services from the perspective of managers of eco-lodges in Guilan Province, Iran. It also seeks to identify the key reasons behind the lack of adoption of service quality standards by these managers. The significance of the topic lies in its contribution to sustainable tourism development, enhancement of rural residents’ quality of life, and improvement of tourist satisfaction. Design/methodology/approach- This applied research employed a descriptive-analytical approach. Data were collected through both library and field methods. The statistical population included all licensed eco-lodges in Guilan Province (126 units), which were studied using a census method. Data collection was carried out using the standard SERVQUAL questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 through descriptive statistics, one-sample t-tests, factor analysis, and the Friedman test. Findings- The results revealed a significant gap between the current quality of services and the desired standards in the eco-lodges of Guilan. Most managers perceived the official service quality standards as inefficient or impractical. The primary reasons cited included inadequate infrastructure, insufficient training, and weak supervisory systems. Research limitations/implications- The study is limited to a single province and reflects solely the managers’ viewpoints. Future research is recommended to include the perspectives of tourists and regulatory authorities. Additionally, developing and localizing service quality assessment models tailored to the characteristics of rural accommodations is suggested. Practical implications- To enhance service quality, the study recommends providing training programs for managers, improving tourism infrastructure, revising service quality indicators, and strengthening monitoring and evaluation systems. Showcasing successful models from other regions can also help increase the efficiency of eco-lodges. Originality/ value- By focusing on the perspectives of service providers as key stakeholders, this study offers a novel contribution and can serve as a reference for policymakers, tourism practitioners, and investors aiming to improve rural tourism service quality.

Purpose- This research aims to provide a comprehensive and systematic review of the knowledge structure and dominant trends in the literature concerning pro-environmental tourist behavior within rural tourism studies. The study seeks to identify research gaps and map the intellectual landscape of the field for future researchers. Methodology- This study employs a scientometric approach, combining systematic review and bibliometric analysis. A total of 1,020 eligible articles published between 1985 and 2024 were identified through the Scopus database and analyzed using VOSviewer software. Co-authorship, co-citation, and keyword co-occurrence networks were used to analyze the knowledge structure. Findings- The results reveal that China, the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, and South Korea have the highest publication output in this field. Linnaeus University (Sweden), Sejong University (South Korea), and Lund University (Sweden) are among the most influential institutions. Keyword analysis identified three primary clusters: ecotourism, ecosystem and environmental protection, and tourism economy and market. According to the Theory of Planned Behavior, factors such as attitude, subjective and social norms, perceived behavioral control, and environmental awareness are the most significant predictors of tourists' pro-environmental behavior. Practical Implications- The findings provide valuable insights for destination managers and policymakers in developing effective strategies for sustainable tourism management. The results can serve as a basis for designing behavioral interventions and formulating evidence-based policies to promote responsible behaviors among tourists in rural destinations. Originality/Value- This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by providing a comprehensive and dynamic map of the knowledge structure and prevailing trends in pro-environmental behavior in rural tourism. By filling the gaps of previous studies, this research identifies novel research opportunities for future scholars.

Purpose- Access to safe and clean water remains a critical global concern, especially in rural areas of developing countries where infrastructural and institutional limitations are prevalent. In Tanzania, particularly in the Simiyu Region, water insecurity is further compounded by limited community participation in the planning stages of rural water projects. While participatory approaches are widely advocated to improve sustainability and responsiveness of such initiatives, there remains limited empirical evidence on the socio-economic and institutional factors influencing household-level participation. The main purpose of this research is to analyze the determinants of community participation in rural water project planning in Simiyu region, Tanzania by employing a Logit Model Approach. Design/Methods/Approach- This study addresses this gap by analyzing the determinants of community involvement using a logit regression model, drawing from data collected through a cross-sectional survey of 217 respondents. The sample was derived using Yamane’s (1967) formula, and a mixed sampling technique was applied to ensure representativeness across demographic and socio-economic groups. Structured questionnaires were employed for data collection, and the resulting data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression methods. Findings- The results revealed that several variables significantly influence participation. These include age (marginal effect = 0.116, p < 0.05), gender (0.098, p < 0.05), occupation—particularly among those engaged in livestock keeping (0.161, p < 0.05) and small businesses (0.177, p < 0.05)-as well as income level. Additionally, community awareness (0.247, p < 0.05) and prior experience with development initiatives (0.175, p < 0.05) were strong positive predictors. Cultural norms were found to influence gendered participation, with male respondents more likely to be involved in decision-making processes. Practical implications- These findings emphasize the importance of integrating gender-sensitive and participatory planning approaches to ensure alignment with local needs and to promote sustainability. Original/Value- The study recommends targeted policy interventions including community capacity-building, equitable policy frameworks, and strengthened local governance mechanisms to foster inclusive participation. Institutionalizing participatory approaches and promoting gender equity will be crucial in enhancing community ownership, improving project outcomes, and ensuring long-term water security in rural Tanzania.

Purpose- This research attempts to analyze the role of livestock production in the spatial organization of the houses in Liqvan village that is one of the famous rural areas at the national level in Iran, and it owes most of its fame to the dairy products produced there (especially cheese). Design/methodology/approach- This study has been carried out in two sections: library and field studies. The theoretical part is done from available and accessible library resources (including books, magazines, articles, and authoritative sites). The field part is done using the "phenomenology" method. Findings- Studies show that in the traditional livelihood period, the role of livelihood was influential in the formation and spatial composition of the houses in this village, and the old living spaces of Liqvan were shaped to respond to the functions, with appropriate internal divisions, to provide long-term living facilities. However, along with the contemporary wave of modernization and changes in the needs of the present era, and especially the significant shift in income from traditional activities to mass dairy production, in the newly built houses, the residential spaces have often been converted into living spaces that do not have much affinity with local customs and traditions and do not have compatibility with the native architecture. Original/Value- Given the significant changes in the livelihoods of rural communities, it is crucial to implement strategies for developing and regenerating villages like Liqvan. This includes stabilizing rural centers, creating production and promoting income centers, and revising development strategies and policies. The focus should be on leveraging local potentials. The study also advocates introducing new productions and reviving past activities and services through production clusters with technical and specialized consultations. Furthermore, the preservation of indigenous architecture and the regeneration of local spaces can contribute to the growth of the tourism industry in the village.

Purpose- This study explores cross-cultural differences in the assessment of rural landscapes among landscape architecture experts in Iran and Sweden. The research focuses on three key indicators of landscape aesthetics: diversity, naturalness, and sense of place, aiming to understand how cultural background influences the perception and valuation of these elements in rural environments. Design/methodology/approach- A quantitative survey approach was employed using a structured questionnaire based on a 7-point Likert scale. The sample included 31 landscape architecture experts—18 from Iran and 13 from Sweden—who were selected purposively and responded via email. To analyze the data, non-parametric statistical methods were used, including the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test for normality and the Mann–Whitney U test for comparing group differences. Findings-The results revealed that both groups valued vegetation diversity similarly, indicating a shared professional appreciation for diverse plant types. However, a significant divergence was noted in perceptions of naturalness: Iranian experts tended to associate cultivated and managed vegetation with higher natural value, while Swedish experts favored more untouched, wild natural elements. Regarding the sense of place, particularly the activity subcomponent, Iranian experts gave more weight to cultural infrastructure and traditional or religious events, reflecting the socio-cultural importance of communal and ritual activities in Iran. Practical Implications- These findings can guide rural landscape planning and design processes that are sensitive to cultural context, providing a basis for cross-cultural assessment tools tailored to differing aesthetic values. Originality/Value- The study contributes to the underexplored area of non-Western landscape perception research, offering fresh insights into how cultural frameworks shape aesthetic evaluations across distinct environmental and social settings.

Purpose- To examine the architectural and economic strategies of rural business spaces from the perspective of experts. Design/methodology/approach- In synthesis of literature review, after reviewing 47 articles found, the relationships between variables in first relation between R.B.S & R.B.A: The components were extracted & converted to 8 components based on the Roberts synthesis method. But since the main unknown of the research was Architecture & speciology of the building, according to the gaps extracted 8 types of architecture were compiled & the axial coding & 8 research content was extracted from it. Then the content-target-table was generated.  In the current step, since theoretical foundations were insufficient, a combined research method was used & the Delphi research method was used in this phase of research. The study community had 41 elite subjects (rural-urban-architectural-entrepreneurial). To analyze the data collected based on the Q factor analysis extracted results & ultimately the most influential factors on the RBS & RBP from each of the specified spatial attributes. The results of the study indicate that in total, 3 categories are emphasized, 5 categories in the 2nd priority, 3 categories are not generally approved by this community, but in some factors it is emphasized. Findings- In response to the research question of what the classification and perspective of the community of experts are on the architectural strategies of rural business spaces, there are 7 views in this regard: Requirements for multi-purpose spaces (second activity): separate, isolated, sanitary, and Indigenous (12.67%); Second activity in the form of multi-purpose buildings or increasing the area for the construction of a sales place in rural buildings (11.49%); The sales Place is equipped with isolation (10.07%); Sanitary and isolated interior architecture (cultivation space) (8.06%); Indigenous model of Health and isolation (7.85%); Reconstruction of old buildings by equipping, and separating and increasing the business area (7.68%)  and etc. Reseach limitation/implications- Interdisciplinary and lack of coherent studies and literature on Rural Business Architecture (R B A) and multi-purpose & hybrid building and architecpreneure (architecture + entrepreneurship). Originality/value– Research started with the hypothesis of multifunctionalization of production spaces, but ultimately concepts such as health & reducing the penetration of the second activity pest were given priority over multifunctioning & combining activities. There for the priority of health concepts & sales & second activity is the innovation of this research.