Ecological Capability Evaluation to Aim Urban Development Using Geographical Information System (Case Study: Minoo Island)

Nowadays, many of our Iranian cities because of its unlimited expansion and without planning, due to encroaching on the natural environment and have been destroying and have created problems the environment in consequence of their establishment and any time or in any place. In principal the creation of new towns is in order to responds the need such as get the overflow population, provide housing and many other factors and was not considerable to the origin of them in development process and environmental planning. The Minoo Island in Khuzestan province is along with south of Khoramshahr between 48o 12' and 48o 15' east longitude and 30o 19' to 30o 22' north latitude.
To identify the potential for urban development in Minoo Island, have been used systemic analysis and Makhdoum ecological model and GIS tools. In this Method, first the area biological resources were identified. Digital data along with other descriptive data to create the database give to ArcGis system. By combining and overlying the data layer in ArcGis system, the ecological unit map with unit characteristic was created and then region feasibility attempted and suitable area for urban development were identified.
The study showed with considered the all Makhdoum model ecological parameters, 85 percent of region has a suitable potential with (grade 2) and 14 % for region has not good potential for urban development. It is suggested in the strategic planning of urban development, physical goals with economics, social and cultural goals integrated coordinated and consistent proceed. In this regard, the main axis of urban planning in Minoo Island with prioritization of upgrading of physical infrastructure and social welfare for environmental sustainable development and wealth generating must be made.