Identifying and Locating the Suitable Urban Development Spots with Application Criteria of Ecosystem (Case Study: Mahmood Abad Township, Mazandaran Province)

Aim of this study is to identify suitable Urban Development spots with application of Environmental Criteria in Mahmoodabad Township. A series of criteria were identified by investigating various sources about the location of urban development to achieve the aim of this study. Then criteria were selected by Delphi questionnaire or survey experts. So 12 criteria and 30 subcriteria were selected for urban development site selection in Mahmoodabad Township. These remained criteria which can convert to maps were weighted with AHP method. Then criteria were converted to maps by Arc GIS software. After that the maps combined with a weighted linear combination by Arc GIS software and appropriate spots for urban development were chosen. Area of the biggest spot is 0/7 square kilometers and area of the next spot is 0/4 square kilometers. According to 26th article of executive regulations for new towns building، minimum area of a new city is 3 square kilometers. So، none of the spots are suitable for urban development. Results and the criteria which obtained in this research can be used as a guide in areas that have similar features (north coastal area of country) to Mahmoodabad Township.