Research Journal of Social Sciences

ISSN: 1815-9125

JOURNAL home page: http://www.aensiweb.com/RJSS 2015 July; 8(4): pages 90-93. Published Online 1 April 2015. Research Article

An Evaluation of Population Changes in Urmia City

Ali Ganaatdust

Department of social & economical Geography, Baku State University, Azerbaijan

Received: 25 December 2014; Revised: 28 January 2014; Accepted: 25 March 2015; Available online: 1 April 2015

ABSTRACT

The population structure of each region is affected by economic, social, cultural and other factors which were formed directly or indirectly in the past. These factors have been crystallized in population movements both naturally (birth and death) and spatially (migration). In fact, be aware of the mentioned components or on the other word; effective factors on the population growth are kind of knowing the effect of economic, social, cultural and other factors on population structure. Being aware of the population and its growth are the basis to predict future population and to determine the degree of priority of that point in the operation of different projects. Regarding the mentioned relationship, this study investigated the population movements in the present and past situations in Urmia city as the capital of West Azerbaijan province where in 1966 had 291,836 population, while 110,749of them lived in urban areas and 181,087 lived in rural areas. The population of Urmia in 1976 was 370,987 while 164419 lived in urban area and 206,568 lived in rural areas. In 1986, this population reached to 539,838, while 300,746 of them lived in urban areas and 239,056 lived in rural areas. And in 1996 the city population was 725,008 (444,001 in urban area and 281,007 in rural area).According to state divisions, Urmia city has 5 sections (Anzal, Silvaneh, Sumay Bradost, Markazu Nazlo) and 20 districts and 5 cities (Urmia, Noushin, Sarv and Qushchi) and based on 1996 population census, it has 691 villages. According to statistical information of the province, at the end of 2003, the number of inhabited villages reduced to 609 villages. According to the last census of population and housing in 2006, the population of Urmia city was 856,914, and the urban population was 577,307. Attractions such as employment opportunities, recreational and cultural and other facilities has faced Urmia city with a rapid growth in urban population.

Key words: population density - Physical development - Population distribution – growth rate - population structure

INTRODUCTION services in rural areas. Although the urban population percentage is slightly more than the rural Urbanity ratio in Urmia city during the census population, it should also be noted that the number of years has shown dramatic changes. In 1966, the rural settlements in the city is really high, which urbanity ratio in Urmia was 37.95% and rural ratio shows the imbalance of urban and rural population of was 62.05%, which indicated a high proportion of the city. rural population when it is compared to urban population. In 1976 and 1986 the urban population 1. Number of households and family members: increased, so that the ratio of urbanity reached to Ordinary household population in Urmia in 1956 44.32% in 1976 and 55.71% in 1986, in other word; was 67,605 people, while this population with a it showed 55.68% and 44.29% rural populations growth rate of 5.1% reached to 110,749 in 1966. In respectively in those years. It can be seen that from 1976, the city population increased by 164,419, 1976 to 1986, Urmia city faced with urban which is equal to 4.03% growth rate for this period. population growth due to more attractions in the city. In 1986 and 1996, the city population was 300,746 Regarding 5 urban areas in this province, Urmia city and 435,200 respectively. Accordingly, the rates of has the most urban population and migration as the population growth in those decades (1976-1986 and most important urban area due to lack of adequate 1986-1996) were 6.2 and 3.8 percent respectively.

Corresponding Author: Ali Ganaatdust, Department of social & economical Geography, Baku State University, Azerbaijan 91 Ali Ganaatdust, 2015 / Research Journal of Social Sciences 8(4), July, Pages: 90-93

The annual growth of the population over the last 40 decline was due to family planning policies, and years until 1996 was about 4.8%.The population economic problems and etc. [5]. growth rate in 1976-1986 reached to its peak that was 6.2% due to massive immigration in the early years 3. Age and gender structure of the population: after the Islamic revolution and following events. But In the planning of socio - economic structure, a decade later, the rate dropped to 73.3%. The age and gender structures of the population are very adjusted population estimates for Urmia city until important. The gender structure of the population is 2004 was done by the Management and Planning obtained through gender ratio index, , Organization and the growth rate was estimated which showed that, on average, for every one 3.68% which is influenced by two factors; natural hundred female, how many male lived in the city. increase in population and migration. The total Basically, the gender ratio index in the birth time and number of households in Urmia and its influence, as among babies is about 105. But in the next years and well as their family members between 1966 and 1996 due to deaths and different migration of two genders, are calculated as follows: this index in different age groups showed different According to 2006 Census, the population of figures which reveal various population events for Urmia city in this year was 856,914 people in form the city. Since the population of female is higher than of 215,342 households. Urmia city has 30.34% of the male in Urmia, the proximity of the gender ratio to province population (2,831,779). According to the the desired ratio in this city is obvious. In 2006, from results of this census, from the total population of the 856,914 population of this city, 433,971 were male city, 422,943 are female (49.35%) and 433,971 are and 422,943 were female, so 50.64% is allocated to male (50.65%). The 2006 census indicated that the male and 49.36% to female that indicates the gender family member in Urmia city was 3.97 persons per ratio of 107.52% in Urmia. The highest gender ratio household. belonged to age group 15-19, while the gender ratio equaled 107.52 which showed a high number of male 2. Population growth rate: in this age group [3]. Urmia city population in 1966 was 291,836 and in 1976 with a slow and average growth, it reached to 4. Ratio of major age groups: 370987 which showed that population growth rate in Changes in natural population growth, this decade was 2.40%. City population in 1986 particularly decreasing the fertility and birth rates in reached to 539838. Urmia city had its' highest recent years have led to fundamental changes in the growth rate in this decade according to various structure of the population in most regions of Iran. statistic periods. Population growth rate in this year Recently, an extensive program has been done to was 3.82%. This is due to increased immigration reduce the birthrate According to statistics from from rural to urban areas in order to find job. Low Statistical Center of Iran, from 871,204 population in welfare, health and education in rural areas led to 2006, 223,666 people are in age group 0-14 which increase in migration to urban areas. Although made 26% of them while 114,541 of them were population growth got slower from 1986 to 1996, it male, and 109,125 of whom were female. The still continues to rise. The population growth rate in gender ratio in this age group was 104.96 persons these years was 3% and the urban population which is roughly balanced since this ratio in the time increased to 725,008. In this period, due to of the birth in country and province was relatively implementation of policies to reduce the population, modest. 69% of the city population is in 15-64 age the growth rate declined in the settlements mainly in groups which includes the 601,699 people. The Urmia. Population of Urmia in 1996 was 856,914 number of male in this age group is higher than under the influence of family planning policies and female. So from 45839 persons in this age group, the effectiveness of the measures that health systems 22636 are female and 23204 are male. The gender implemented to control the birth rate in the country. ratio in this group is 102.5 [5]. The city population growth rate dropped to 1.68% in this year which indicated the relative stabilization of 5-Literacy and education situations: the population, reduction in migration and the growth Literacy and education levels in a society are rate movement toward natural growth rate of the city. regarded as the most important factors in social and Comparing the number of households living in economical development which represent the general Urmia indicates growth in the number of households interest to participate in the social and cultural (1976 to 1986) than the corresponding growth in the development. Besides, investigation on literacy city and province. Although this growth ratio situation in one region reflects socio-cultural decreased in next decade, it is still higher than the situations, status of workers (skilled, semi-skilled corresponding number in Urmia city and province. and unskilled) and overall development of the region The lack of homogeneity of the population growth in in various dimensions. According to the Statistical the number of households was due to the decrease in Yearbook of West Azarbaijan in 2008, in 2006 from family member size, as this number from 1976 to the total population of 871,204 in Urmia, 788,122 1996 in Urmia reached from 4.71% to 4.41% and this people aged over 6, while 643,645 people were

92 Ali Ganaatdust, 2015 / Research Journal of Social Sciences 8(4), July, Pages: 90-93 literate (literate population aged 6 years old and northeast, northwest and southeast of the city. older) so about 81.67% of the city population was 4. Residence range of the fourth rate social groups: literate. Among the total literate population, 354,163 This area is commonly found in the northern and were male (55.02%) and 289,482 were female north-western and north-eastern border which is (44.98%). According to the statistics provided in the scattered around the city. Statistical Yearbook, 73.06% were literate (470,273) Now the traditional and new neighborhood of in urban areas and the rest of the 26.94% (173,372) the city within four metropolitan areas are as follows: were living in rural areas. Also, among the total population who are over 6 years old in Urmia city, Region 1: 144,488 people, equivalent to 18.33% are illiterate This region has an area equal to 3276.7 hectares which is sort of high number for this city. However, in south of Urmia city and it is the largest region of 47,598 of them were male (32.95%) and 96,890 of the city and Shahrchay river passes through it. This them were female (67.05%). Most of illiterate people region has 77 districts, while the oldest one is were older than 50 that they refers to academic Shahrokh Abad and the newest neighborhood is problems in their adolescence. Urmia literacy rate in Golshahr. Arashlou village, Hesar Dagh Baghi, Ali 1956 was equal to 30.1% while 40.1% was for male Komi and Dizaji Siavash which are integrated in the and 17.1% for female. In 1966 the literacy rate of the city, are located in this area. Based on the urban population increased to 46.9%, while 57.8% consultant's estimates, the population of this area in and 34.1% for male and female respectively. The 2008 was 168,674. highest increase in the rate of literacy growth was between 1966 and 1976, so that in 1976 the literacy Region 2: rate in city reached to 65.8% that increased 18.7 % This region has an area equal to 1325.9 hectares increase compared to 1956. Comparing the literacy in north and east of Urmia city. The history of rate of urban areas in Urmia and other Iranian cities physical context of this area dates back to 1950, and shows that in 1966 the literacy rate in this city was some major and urbanized incompatible users (such higher than other urban areas. After 20 years with the as terminals, factories, warehouses, etc.) in this area immigration of villagers to Urimia, the literacy rate and work. This area has 47 neighborhoods. Hossein in this city from 1986 to 1996 was lower than in Abad, Islamabad, Vakil Abad, Haji Pirlo, Badal other urban areas of the country. Abad, MotorBashi, DivarBashi are among the Chart 15. literate and illiterate population neighborhoods of this region. According to measures Urmia city of consulting engineers in 2006, a population of 155,590 people lived in this region. Social characteristics of the city and its various neighborhoods and its effect on the physical Region 3: development of the city: The region has an area equal to 3005.4 hectares 1- Distribution of the population in Urmia: in North and West of Urmia. The region is composed Based on the present data, populations of Urmia of two distinct parts which have 36 neighborhoods. in 1996 and 2001 were 435,200 and 500,480 North and south of the area some neighborhoods respectively. Accordingly, the total area of the city such as Poshte Koshtargah, Eslam Abad and Terizlou during this period has increased, as in 1996, it was village are located which are quite distinct from other 7,136 hectares, whereas in 2001 this figure reached neighborhoods in the area (such as Isar, Ostad to 7811 hectares. Accordingly, the gross density of Shahriar, Farhangian neighborhoods) and they are the city during the same year increased from 61 to 64 mostly new. In this area, according to the consultant's persons in per hectare. Besides, the net density of the measure, in 2006, approximately 166,442 people city had a declining trend in the same period from resided. 231 to 223 persons. Urmia neighborhoods in terms of social groups living in them can be divided into 4 Region 4: main areas. Thus, in this classification the average The region has an area equal to 969.o hectares in family member, the proportion of people to the center of the city and it has 59 neighborhoods. residential units, equipment, literacy rate and the The central and old areas of the city are located in occupational combination of household heads were this region and most of commercial centers and used as basis. services are in this region and working. According to 1. Residence range of the first rate social groups : the Consultant measures in 2006, the total population This range is located in the central and southern of the region was 113,294 people. Besides, 35 parts. neighborhoods have been located within the old areas 2. Residence range of the second rate social which includes the neighborhoods of Yourdshah, groups: This area is usually located in the center, Aghdash, Khoy, Hezaran, Nogchar, Delgosha, west and southwest of the city. Bazarbash, Hindu, Haft Asiab, Asgarkhan, Ali 3. Residence range of the third rate social groups: Gourgeh and etc. [6]. This area is located in the center, south, west,

93 Ali Ganaatdust, 2015 / Research Journal of Social Sciences 8(4), July, Pages: 90-93

2. How and where the native and immigrants reside 164419 lived in urban area and 206,568 lived in rural in the city? areas. In 1986, this population reached to 539,838, In 10 years from 1966 to 1976, 18733 while 300,746 of them lived in urban areas and households with a population of 90,002 people have 239,056 lived in rural areas. And in 1996 the city migrated to the city of Urmia, the average annual population was 725,008 (444,001 in urban area and household and immigrant population was 1,873 281,007 in rural area).According to state divisions, households and 9000 persons respectively. Increase Urmia city has 5 sections (Anzal, Silvaneh, Sumay due to natural growth in this period is equal to 52,368 Bradost, Markazu Nazlo) and 20 districts and 5 cities people which is 26.6% of the total population (Urmia, Noushin, Sarv and Qushchi) and based on increase in this decade. The annual population 1996 population census, it has 691 villages. growth rate in this decade was 2.8% [1]. According to statistical information of the province, at the end of 2003, the number of inhabited villages 3. Population density range in Urmia: reduced to 609 villages. According to the last census Master plan suggests 4 different density levels and it of population and housing in 2006, the population of has made some classifications for each level. Urmia city was 856,914, and the urban population 1. Ranges with net population density of 150 was 577,307. Attractions such as employment persons per hectare (special density and very low); opportunities, recreational and cultural and other 2. Ranges with net population density of 150 to facilities has faced Urmia city with a rapid growth in 250 persons per hectare (low density); urban population. 3. Ranges with net population density of 250 to 350 persons per hectare (average density); REFERENCE 4. Ranges with net population density of 350 to 535 persons per hectare (high density); 1. Armed Forces Geographical Organization, 1978. High density: KazemAbad, and Islamabad "Gazetteer of Urmia" neighborhoods in the north and north-west of Sangar 2. Sharmnd, Consulting Engineers, 2002. "The Borzoukhan and Sangar BiglerBeigi neighborhoods. Sublime locate buildings", Department of Average density: downtown: Housing and Urban Development; Low density: New West towns, including the 3. Safamanesh and Consulting Engineers, 1999. towns of Isar, ValiAsr, Farhangian town, University "Urban Design on the part of the historic context and Justice and Tarizlou neighborhood and territory of the city of Urmia", Tehran, Department of between the Daneshkadeh Avenue and Bahonar Blvd Housing and Urban Development; in South of Bargh Street (Sarbazan Gomnam) to 4. Arseh, Consulting Engineers, 1994. "Detailed Qoyoon bridge. design of Urmia City", Department of Housing Specific density: Part of south of ShahreChay and Urban Development; river around Azadegan boulevard Arashlou Town 5. Statistical Center of Iran, 1996. "General Census including N.2 Farhangian towns, residential units of of Population and Housing"; Martyrs Foundation, Motahar town, Buildings of 6. Department of Housing and Urban Governing Housing and Mokhaberat town [2]. Development, 2005. "Definition, structure, type, reference and legal authority to intervene in Conclusion: urban contexts", the secretariat of the Supreme The population structure of each region is Council for Planning and Architecture in Iran, affected by economic, social, cultural and other adopted in. factors which were formed directly or indirectly in the past. These factors have been crystallized in population movements both naturally (birth and death) and spatially (migration). In fact, be aware of the mentioned components or on the other word; effective factors on the population growth are kind of knowing the effect of economic, social, cultural and other factors on population structure. Being aware of the population and its growth are the basis to predict future population and to determine the degree of priority of that point in the operation of different projects. Regarding the mentioned relationship, this study investigated the population movements in the present and past situations in Urmia city as the capital of West Azerbaijan province where in 1966 had 291,836 population, while 110,749of them lived in urban areas and 181,087 lived in rural areas. The population of Urmia in 1976 was 370,987 while