Role of Mediate Cities in Regional Development Role of Mediate Cities in Regional Development Role of Mediate Cities in Regional Development Role of Mediate Cities in Regional Development Role of Mediate Cities in Regional Development Role of Mediate Citie

Development of mediate cities, as a proper method of regional development and creation of the social balance, can act as an obstacle against the growth of mega cities. Present study tries to understand the role of Bonab, as a mediate city, in the regional development of East Azerbaijan province by use of population and economics related quantitative models. Descriptive and analytical research method is applied and data is collected through the library documents. The results of population related models show that Bonab has got more flexibility and attracts more emigrants and this fact has caused the city to be more imbalanced in its structure among the other cities of the province. Lack of settlements in the urban hierarchical system of the province to settle population at groups of (250,000 to 500,000) and (500,000 to 1,000,000) has caused the city to have less effective role in area balancing and regular distribution of urban hierarchy. Economical models denote the fact that Bonab, among all other mediate cities of the province, has got the basic conditions in service and agricultural sectors while other cities have basic conditions in agriculture and non-basic conditions in industry and service sectors. Considering the strengths of this city at service and agricultural areas; through strengthening infrastructures, investment and directing strategic plans, it can be introduced as a center of service and agriculture for the southern domiciles of the province.

mediate city, development, regional development, bonab