Evaluation and Analysis of Immediate Areas of Nikshahr to DetermineAppropriate Aspects of Physical Development

One of the most important issues of the city and urbanization in Iran is the analysis of physical growth and development of the city and urbanization. In this regard, the overall goal of urban planning is to ensure the well-being of the people by creating a better, healthier, more effective and more pleasant environment. Therefore, land suitability analysis for urban development and identification of suitable priority lands for physical development is very urgent. Thus, the purpose of this study is to investigate the physical development of Nikshahr with emphasis on urban spread, to identify the factors affecting the physical development of the city, to recognize the capabilities and limitations of physical development of the city and to provide appropriate solutions for principled and practical planning and the physical development of the city. The methodology of the present study is descriptive-analytical and based on library, documentary and field studies, and Arc GIS software and fuzzy logic method in GIS environment have been used for data analysis. The results indicate that the main natural feature of Nikshahr is the heights, rivers and their sub-branches, which have caused the city to take a linear shape and extend along the southwest to the northeast. On the other hand, the heights in the north and parts of the south of the city and also in an area of ​​the western body of the city have caused the city not to develop and expand in a north-south direction. Finally, it should be noted that the unplanned growth of Nikshahr can cause many problems, and on the contrary, the efforts for vertical and intelligent growth can lead to sustainable development.