Ecopark Site Selection in the Central Cities of Ardabil Province, Using Multi-Criteria Analysis Models

Today, due to industrial advances and the expansion of urban environments, it is essential to create ecoparks as places that can provide natural environments for human. The current study performed a comparative ecopark site selection across Ardabil, Meshkinshahr, Sarein, Nir and Namin, using multi-criteria analysis models. To achieve the research objective, four criteria and 15 sub-criteria were identified, as effective factors on ecopark site selection in the region. The analytic network process (ANP) was used to weigh the factors and ordered weighted average (OWA) was employed, as a multi-criteria decision making method, to analyse the final model. Results of the weighting approach showed that distance from rivers accounted for the highest weight coefficient. To select suitable places for ecopark, the study area was classified into four groups of high to low land suitability, including 130815 hectares of high and 167213 hectares of moderate suitability. Lands with high suitablity were mainly located in forests, fair rangelands and orchards. In addition, suitable areas were mostly located near one of the large and permanent rivers of the province. Based on the results, southern parts of Meshkinshahr and the north of Sabalan Mountain were selected as the most suitable areas for ecopark, due to the existence of various natural and human attractions and having a pristine environment.