Resilience Analysis of the Local Communities from a Political Economy Perspective in the Central Region of Zanjan

Abstract

Abstract Local community resilience has been a solution to reduce human and natural origin damages for several decades in global studies. Various studies have addressed different aspects of resilience. However, the concept of resilience, especially in developing countries such as Iran, which has a rent-based economy and relies on oil, needs attention to other dimensions of resilience. In these countries, the institutional environment is highly influenced by political economy, and political economy affects all aspects of planning and governance systems. This study evaluates the resilience of the central region of Zanjan in terms of institutional environment, physical structure, and residents' perspectives. The method of research is mixed. Qualitative analysis was evaluated for institutional environment. It is also quantitative analysis was investigated to measure physical vulnerability and resilience. The results show that the resilience situation is relatively low. The policy-making influenced by political economy, in addition to increasing social and physical damages in this region, leads to the formation of rent housing, a decrease in social capital, an increase in poverty, and ultimately a decrease in the resilience of the central region of Zanjan. Therefore, to create resilience, we need to transition from the current institutional environment and take steps towards institutional evolution and development.