Comparative study with ecological potential assessment model of urban development using AHP and GIS methods (case study: Pardis city)

With consideration of the rapid growth and expansion of cities, followed by population growth and the need for land for housing, it is necessary to have a detailed plan for urban development. The present study aimed to determine the appropriate use of urban development, based on the indicators of the model of ecological potential assessment of urban development in Iran in the city of Pardis, considering 14 criteria. For this purpose, the multi-criteria evaluation method, which the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is the most important process, was used to produce and analyze the data, and the existing criteria were evaluated and integrated according to the Makhdoom model using ARC GIS. Based on results, from total area of 27,600 hectares in the study area, 120,304 hectares have very unfavorable potential, 4404.50 hectares have unfavorable potential, 9433.34 hectares have medium potential, 8684.55 hectares have desirable potential and 4119 hectares also have very good potential. Slope and fault became the most important criteria in urban development and had the highest score, respectively. Also, the southern parts of the north and to some extent the central part of the region have a better position for the future expansion of the city.