Zoning Areas Prone to Settlement Development Using the Fuzzy Logic and AHP Integrated Model (Case Study: Poldokhtar City)

The optimal zoning of urban development directions based on environmental capabilities is one of the most important urban development planning; choosing the right urban development direction may make a city face fewer challenges and problems in the future, including natural hazards. It may also cause urban development may be done properly. Considering the significance of the subject, the present study aims to zone the areas prone to the development of settlements in the boundaries and outskirts of Poldokhter city. According to the subject and objectives, SRTM 30 meters high digital model, a 1:100000 geological map of Iran’s Geological Organization, a Landsat satellite image, and digital layers of information were employed as research data. The most important research instruments were Arc GIS (to prepare the desired maps) and Expert Choice (to implement the AHP model). Also, in this research, fuzzy logic models (to fuzzify the layers and also to combine the information layers, and prepare the final map) and AHP (to weigh the information layers) were used. As the results indicated, many parts of the urban area and outskirts of Poldokhter are lowly suitable for urban development. These areas, mainly including the northern regions of Poldokhtar urban area, have little potential for the physical development of residential areas due to the high elevation and slope, being in the mountain units and the alluvial valley. Accordingly, only parts of the southern areas of Poldokhter city are susceptible to the physical development of residential areas due to the low elevation and slope and being in the plain unit.