Geo-Ecological potential analysis of physical development of Rasht

Today, because of increasing tendency for urbanization and urban development and also developing urban land use levels, suitable sites according to geo-ecological potential should be determined in order to allocating these land uses and consequently prevention of destroying districts and maintaining environment. City of Rasht, the capital of Gilan province, has the most density of population due to its mild climate and fertile lands among cities in Iran and it is increasingly at the risk of physical development. The aim of this study is to determine the areas with suitable geo-ecological potential in order to develop city of Rasht physically using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). The method of study is based on Hybrid, descriptive, analytical method and AHP. The whole needed data and maps for the study has been provided using statistical data of Meteorological organization and basic maps of 1/25000 of department of natural resources and department of environment of Gilan. The results show that, due to the criteria priority in physical development of Rasht, 1024.42 ha have suitable potential, 20925 ha have average potential and 13.82 ha have unsuitable potential for physical development of Rasht.