Evaluation of the Optimal Utilization Criteria for Urban Forest Park (Case study: Jahan Nama Forest Park - Karaj)

Forest parks are produced in two ways of natural or man-made in the territory or within the urban areas. The utilization of the forest parks with respect to the various functions of such parks is of interest to the management of the urban areas, especially in metropolitans.
As forest parks are so important, therefore: this research is a case study of Jahan Nama forest parks in Karaj in order to identify and evaluate the utilization criteria for ranking the management performance. The methods in this research are Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) approach, Delphi method, Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) and Fuzzy Technique for Order Performance by Similarity to Ideal Solution (FTOPSIS).
The results show that 6 criteria of Environmental with 5 descriptors, social with 3 descriptors, Ecological with 4 descriptors, Sports with 2 descriptors, Cultural and Educational with 3 descriptors and Economical with 4 descriptors are significant in optimum utilization of urban forest parks.
As a result, the optimum utilization depends on the criteria of stylizing the air, beatifying the landscapes, reducing air pollution, maintaining biodiversity, reducing natural hazards, fulfilling the functions recreation and social interactions, balancing urban ecosystems, sports facilities, equipment and children’s playgrounds, gardening education, libraries, cultural interactions and entrepreneurship and income.