Environmental Approach For Zanjan Power Plants (No.1 & 2) Site Selection

This study provides Zanjan power plants (No.1&2) site selection in ‌‌‌Zanjan province. An ecological model of industrial–urban development, performance by Makhdoum (1999), was used for site selection as a multi- factors method. This model includes three priorities to distinguish between proper and improper lands for developmental activities.According to this model, while development is considered in a region, the land characteristics and features should be known at first. Then these features are evaluated compare to any priorities of the model. Finally, the result will be conducted as a map in which the proper and improper lands are clearly defined for the specified developmental activity.In this regard, the present state of environment was analyzed in three parts: Physical, natural and manmade environment. Considering national environmental criteria and standards, 27 factors were presented in a check- list for different options of site. Consequently, about 90 great ecosystems were defined through performing preliminary studies and conducting maps of slop, aspect, elevation and land units. Then 6 units were defined as proper places and 14 units as semi- proper ones. In the next stage, 7 sites were distinguished based on combining geographic, seismic and water resources data and also preliminary site visits among 20 proper and semi- proper places. Finally, site of no.5 (close to Zanjan- Miyaneh road) was selected as first in ranking