Changing the use of agricultural and horticultural lands and its effect on sustainable development in Shahriar

The landuse change is one of the most important challenges of urban development in Iran. The purpose of this study is to investigate the trend of agricultural land use change and its impact on sustainable development in Shahriar city.

This descriptive-analytical research methodology is selected for the investigation during 1996 to 2016. The trends of changes in Shahriar city are studied and analyzed and radiometric correction is performed by using ENVI software. A questionnaire technic was used to assess the effects of landuse change on sustainable development.

Based on the results during the study period (1996 to 2016), the residential use increased annually with the growth rate of 117 hectares per year. Also, the use of garden and agricultural lands is increasing at an average rate of 200 and 37 hectares per year, respectively. Agricultural lands first experienced a decreasing trend (8%), then increased again (16.7%) and the result was an incremental study period (8.7%). Barren lands also have a 30% reduction rate in the region.

The outcomes emphasize on the importance and significant impact of agricultural and horticultural land use change on the components of sustainable development and well show that land use change has negative economic, social, environmental and spatial physical effects for sustainable development.