Analyzing the Relationship Between the Physical Development of New Settlements, Development-Environment Conflict, and Attitudes Toward Coastal Sustainability: A Case Study of the Makran Coast

Abstract

The development of new settlements in coastal areas, particularly in developing regions, has always been accompanied by challenges between spatial development requirements and environmental considerations. In this context, the formation of social attitudes toward coastal sustainability can play a significant role in directing development processes toward sustainable models. The present study was conducted with the aim of analyzing the relationship between the physical development of new settlements and development-environment conflict with attitudes toward coastal sustainability on the Makran Coast. In terms of purpose, this was an applied study, and methodologically, it employed a descriptive-analytical survey design. The statistical population of the study included residents of coastal settlements in the Makran region, and the required data were collected using a questionnaire. To analyze the data, descriptive statistics indices and inferential statistics tests, including the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Pearson correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression, were utilized. The results showed that the mean of the physical development of new settlements () and attitudes toward coastal sustainability () are at an above-average level, while the perception of development and environment conflict was also evaluated as relatively high with a mean of (). The results of the Pearson correlation test indicated that the physical development of new settlements has a positive and significant relationship with attitudes toward coastal sustainability () and a negative and significant relationship with development-environment conflict (). Furthermore, the development-environment conflict demonstrated a negative and significant relationship with attitudes toward coastal sustainability (). The results of the multiple regression also revealed that the variables of physical development of new settlements and development-environment conflict collectively explain approximately of the variance in attitudes toward coastal sustainability. Accordingly, enhancing the physical quality, tourism infrastructure, and environmental considerations in the development of coastal settlements can play an effective role in promoting sustainability attitudes in the Makran region.