Land Zoning for Physical Development of Shiraz Using GIS and AHP

Considering that the growth trend of urbanization in Iran, following the deep economic and social changes of past decades, has in recent years led to the unbridled growth of cities with national and regional role and, without regard to the natural capacities and facilities of the region has brought about unpleasant consequences for the physical-biological environment of the city, the growth of the population with the occupation of urban space has created imbalances in the construction and texture of the city and has caused irreparable damage to the urban environment. As a result, the zoning of land for the physical development of cities has always been of interest to urban geographers and planners, and therefore it is essential to locate suitable lands for the physical development of cities. In this paper, using the AHP model in ARC GIS software, land zoning for physical development of Shiraz city was evaluated based on 8 criteria (slope, ground, static surface of groundwater, land capability, river boundary, the distance from fault, height and texture of soil) and a zoning map of the land was obtained. The zoning map shows three areas of high suitability (21516 hectares), low suitability (23069 hectares) and unsuitable (23289 hectares) in terms of priority for physical development, and can be used by urban managers and planners.