Sustainability assessment of urban geomorphology for planning and urban development management (Case Study: Yazd)

Natural feature have a decisive effect on locating, growth, and physical development of cities. Natural phenomena sometimes act as positive factors and sometimes as negative and deterrent factors. The main objective of this study is to identify the geo-morphological features of Yazd city using the data envelopment analysis (DEA) model in order to determine the sustainability of the city. To achieve these goals, the geo-morphological indicators affecting the growth of Yazd including elevation, slope, aspect, geology, morphology, and pedology (land units) over a 30-year period from 1984 to 2013 were identified. Then, using questionnaire, the importance of indicators in development of the city was specified. Moreover, the DEA model was designed to examine the efficiency of development of Yazd. Efficiency of the units was calculated by GAMS software. The most efficient units involved in development of Yazd were recognized using Anderson and Peterson model. According to the DEA model during the study period (1984-2013), development of about 16% of Yazd was found to be quite efficient. In other words, during the study period, the years 1985, 1986, 2005, 2009, and 2013 have always had 100% efficiency. The most efficient unit in Yazd, based on the geomorphology indicator, was observed in 1986. Since then, with the development of city mainly in southwest direction the efficiency has been declining. The results show that indicators of slope, piedmont plain sediments, urban areas are playing an important role in the development of Yazd city.