Spatial Analysis of Social and Physical Dimensions of Housing in Ahwaz City

In housing category, preparation of plans and programs for social and physical dimensions of housing can prevent gaps and inequalities of resident’s well-being and the city’s unplanned growth. Accordingly, the aims of the present study are: the spatial analysis of social and physical dimensions of housing, showing the imbalance proportion of supply and demand for housing, and showing the relationship of housing shortage with horizontal expansion of Ahwaz city. Based on type the present study is an "applied-developmental" and based on method it is a "descriptive-analytical" research. Required data was collected using a library-documentary method. A total number of 20 social and physical indicators were applied for leveling the regions of Ahwaz city. Data analysis was done based on several methods such as; Superiority and Inferiority Ranking (SIR), Holdren, Shannon's Entropy, Pearson Correlation Coefficients, and Visual PROMETHEE software. Findings of the present study indicated that regions 2, 3, 4 and 8 are in a favorable situation in terms of social and physical indicators, whereas, regions 1, 6 and 7 possess a different social and physical situation. It shows an imbalance distribution of affordable housing across the city of Ahwaz. The Pearson correlation coefficient with a sig of two-sided 0.501 confirmed the imbalance supply and demand of housing in Ahwaz. Also, the results of Holdren and Shannon’s entropy methods represented an unplanned expansion of residential areas during 2006 to 2011, but such development was not coincident with housing demand and has taken place in regions where housing shortages have not been severe. This can be considered as an indicator of unsustainable growth of Ahvaz city in the housing sector.