Monitoring the Spatial Developments of Rural Settlements in Border Regions: Challenges and Potentials in the Function of Rural Society in Baneh Border County

  Nowadays, due to the growth of international trade, border regions function at a national level in distribution of imported and exported goods, within the opportunities for regional development, a role which has been affected by regional and international factors in different periods. This study aimed at investigating and identifying the different consequences of actors' decisions on regional development and their effects on the developments made because of the informal economy in Baneh border region. It was conducted in a descriptive and analytical method. The required data and documents were collected through both desk studies and field survey. The results showed that insecure period of the Iran-Iraq war, returning the security after the war, the war of Iraq in 2003, border line blockage in 2009 and informal economy (smuggling goods) are among the main changing factors and making unstable the function of rural society of Baneh border county. Finally, focusing on a regional strategic planning was suggested by the study to create sustainable development in the concerned county.