Site selection and spatial analysis of city parks distribution using geographic information system (A case study in Zahedan city; district II)

Spatial distribution of city parks and green space as well as other service centers (utilities) are an important factor for the people who live there. In addition to the psychological and aesthetic aspects of parks and green spaces as recreational centers in urban areas they also have vital significance for land use adjustment as urban sinks which has a significant role on sustainable development of the city. Zahedan, as a main city in the center of a growing region, located in southeast part of the country. The city has been expanded due to considerable rate of population since 1980. During past few years development of universities in the city caused a drastic increase of student population as well. From geographic point of view the city is placed in a critical situation because of its unique location in a major commercial crossroad as well as drug smuggling pass way and politically unstable neighboring countries. Successive draught within past years was another major factor influencing landscape of the city. Due to the mentioned factors, land use planning projects were not successfully implemented in the city. The rate of green space per capita in District II of the city does not match with the population rate in the district because of the mentioned influencing factors. The Present research studies the number of parks in compare with the urban structure and site selection of parks considering city’s master plan. The results of the study revealed that number of parks in the district and city is adequate, but the number of neighboring local parks in the district is not enough. Also existing parks were not well distributed throughout the city. Furthermore some of those sites which are suggested for park establishment according to city’s master plan are already occupied by other land uses. Consequently site selection for local neighboring parks was implemented based on those weighted layers.