Investigating the Ecological Capacity of Shahin Shahr’s Physical Development

Abstract

Abstract:Background: Shahinshahr, located 19 kilometers north of Isfahan, has recently transformed into one of the immigration-accepting cities in the province. Assessing natural potential is vital for achieving sustainable development, particularly in urban centers.Objective: This research aims to investigate the ecological potential of Shahinshahr for urban development based on land use principles, utilizing geographic information systems.Research Methods: The research uses a descriptive-analytical approach and falls under the category of applied research. To achieve the research goal, spatial data and relevant analyses were conducted in GIS, along with the multi-criteria decision-making models ANP and SAW. The process involved conducting fundamental studies and preparing digitized thematic maps of the region. By overlaying elevation, slope, direction, soil types, vegetation, geology, and climate maps and using ANP and SAW methods, an ecological power map for urban development was created in Arc GIS 10.8 environment.Research Innovation: This study represents a novel approach in Shahinshahr, where spatial data and decision-making techniques are simultaneously utilized to pursue the primary research objective.Research Results: The results indicate that the northern part of the city is favorable for development. In addition, depending on the climatic conditions and topography of the area, floods may occur in case of rain. In order to deal with this issue, the necessary measures have already been taken. There is a connector in this range that can solve this problem. On the other hand, the southern and eastern parts are non-scientific due to their connection to the cities of Isfahan, Gaz, and Gorgab, and the western part due to their proximity to large industries such as Isfahan Refinery and petrochemicals. Also, the development of the southern part is unprincipled and inappropriate due to the existence of sewage facilities and agricultural lands.Keywords: Ecological Capacity, Urban Development, Sustainable Development, GIS, Shahin Shahr City. IntroductionIn recent decades, most suitable immediate lands, including adjacent agricultural and forestry lands, have been occupied and changed in terms of land use. The assessment of ecological capacity is done by measuring the inventory and capacity of the land with specific and pre-planned criteria. These tools are employed as a basis for land-use decision-making and planning in all parts of the world for selecting and exploiting the ecological capacity of the lands optimally via planning studies and environmental management to achieve sustainable development principles. Shahin Shahr is only 19 km away from Isfahan. It experienced rapid growth due to its cheap lands, various services, and location on the transportation route (Isfahan-Tehran road). Also, due to the existence of several other small towns, including Gaz, Gorgab, Khorzuq, and Dolatabad, there are concerns that new constructive activities and settlements would fill the gap between these cities and Shahin Shahr and consequently, a complete physical connection would be made, which will lead to acute environmental problems. Therefore, evaluating the ecological capacity of the new city of Shahin Shahr and applying environmental criteria to its urban development is necessary to achieve sustainable urban development and a suitable model for the future development of the city and its neighboring towns. The present study aims to determine the best location with the least adverse effects now and in the future for Shahin Shahr’s future development. Materials and MethodsThis research is descriptive-analytical in terms of nature and method and applied in terms of purpose. In order to achieve the goal of the research, it has been done by using the spatial data and performing relevant analyses in the geographic information system and the multi-criteria decision-making model of ANP and SAW. Based on this, basic studies were done and thematic maps of the region were prepared and then digitized. Then, by overlapping and combining maps of height, slope, direction, types of soil, vegetation, geology, and climate and using ANP and SAW methods, an ecological power map of urban development was prepared in Arc GIS 10.8 environment.In this study, the Delphi method was used to identify the effective criteria and sub-criteria in zoning the region. For this purpose, a questionnaire including all effective and usable criteria in zoning was prepared and distributed among a Delphi-based group, including several specialists, experts, and professors in capacity assessment. Also, according to field surveys, interviews with local officials, and finally, the study of the primary data related to the region, several sub-criteria were added to the factors identified by the Delphi method. The indicators investigated in the study include slope steepness, slope directions, altitude classes, geology, vegetation, soil type, digital elevation model (DEM), climate, water resources, and accesses. Then, a questionnaire was developed in which the experts scored different criteria and sub-criteria concerning this study. Research FindingsThe results show that the highest weight is assigned to the slope criteria with a value of 0.147. Combining data and preparing the final map of the environmental unit was done by stacking information layers in the GIS. In producing this map, a fuzzy method was used to show the ecological capacity of the area. This map is divided into four spectra: appropriate, moderate, relatively inappropriate, and inappropriate. According to the map, the southward and eastward physical development of Shahin Shahr is impossible and unprincipled because of the development of Isfahan, Gaz, and Gorgab, the possibility of creating a connection between these cities, the existence of sewage facilities in the south of Shahin Shahr, and the destruction of agricultural lands. The westward development is also unscientific because of large and polluting industries such as Isfahan (Shahid Mohammad Montazeri) Power Station, Isfahan Refinery, petrochemical industries, etc. Therefore, development should move northward. Discussion of Results and ConclusionsWhen a city needs to expand to accommodate its additional population, its inner expansion and use of barren lands are considered the most appropriate pattern of expansion, especially for cities that do not have a high relative density. This type of expansion is always accompanied by an increase in density and will have minimal encroachment on surrounding agricultural lands and natural landscapes. It also imposes the lowest financial costs on the city for not having to build new infrastructure and services. However, to accommodate the growing population of settlements, especially in cities such as Shahin Shahr, which have high population growth and land areas in the city do not meet the growing population, it is necessary to determine the correct physical development directions concerning all ecological capacity so that its physical development in these directions can be planned and its problems can be minimized in the future.In this study, by applying the evaluation criteria, the final development area was determined by sieving and superimposing layers related to the appropriate ecological potential from an urban planning perspective. The results obtained from the analysis of spatial data indicate that there are severe bottlenecks in the urban development of Shahin Shahr, so only a tiny percentage of the total study area is suitable for physical development. According to the studies done, the whole development area (about 1754 hectares) is located in the northern and northwestern part of Shahin Shahr, which has been proposed for future development planning of Shahin Shahr.

Keywords

• ecological capacity
• urban development
• sustainable development
• gis
• shahin shahr city