Determination of coefficient affecting urban growth in SLEUTH model for Ali Abad, ramiyan and Azadshahr regions

Rapid urban growth is usually associated with the destruction of agricultural and natural areas. Therefore, analysis of the suitability of land for urban expansion requires a comprehensive assessment. Since long time ago, various models have been developed by researchers in order to simulate the complex dynamics of urban growth. In this study, SLEUTH model was used for modeling urban growth. In this model, coefficients of urban growth including: dispersion coefficient, breed, spread, slope resistance, and road gravity was determined using different input layers i.e. slope, land use, areas resistant to urbanization layers, urban area layer in four time periods and roads layer at least in two time periods. These coefficients were obtained during three calibrations using Markov chains and cellular automata. Then, the coefficients were used to predict urban growth in the future in the study area included: Ali Abad, Ramiyan and Azadshahr. Results demonstrated a rising trend in the urban land use and a declining trend in the forest and agricultural area. The coefficients can be used for future studies and forecasting urban growth considering different criteria. Also, the results may be useful to predict urban growth and to control increasing trend of urban growth which leads degradation of agricultural land, forest and rangelands.
Determination of coefficient affecting urban growth in SLEUTH model for Ali Abad, ramiyan and Azadshahr regions