Examination and Determination of the Central Cores of Zahedan City Using Geographic Information System (GIS)

The central component of the city presents itself as a palpable and tangible reality within the urban landscape, thereby unveiling the enigmatic mechanisms at play within the city. The objective of this study was to investigate whether there is a singular or multiple central cores within the confines of Zahedan city, ultimately aiming to identify the predominant central core or cores in the spatial arrangement of Zahedan city.

This study is carried out in 2023 in the city of Zahedan. The process of data collection entailed both extensive library research and meticulous document analysis. The parameters under scrutiny included educational institutions, financial institutions, healthcare facilities, administrative centers, athletic facilities, commercial establishments, green areas, places of worship, military installations, parking spaces, street conditions, recreational amenities, and population density. The acquired data was subsequently integrated into the urban blocks utilizing ArcGIS 10.3. Expert opinions were sought in order to ascertain the appropriate distances for each parameter. Network analysis and hierarchical analysis were employed to assign weightings to the aforementioned parameters.

The results of the network analysis reveal that the city consists of a prominent central core situated in the city center and five subcores dispersed throughout the urban area. In the hierarchical analysis method, the central core of the city is situated in the city center of Zahedan along with areas 5, 1, and 2. These areas, as well as regions with potential for development and the establishment of urban nodes, contribute to the central core. Both methods corroborate that Zahedan city is comprised of singular cores and is in the process of evolving into a multi-core city.

Despite the physical expansion witnessed in Zahedan city over the past few decades, the dominant structure remains a single core in terms of service provision and employment. In order to enhance accessibility and establish an effective spatial arrangement, it is imperative to establish new cores at the regional level within the city.