An analysis of level of developedness of the Eastern Azerbaijan's townships using TOPSIS and AHP method

To resolve economic-social inequalities of regions is one of the bases of development, collectivity and integrity. Among the signs of non-development are the existence of inequality and its various aspects for the resolving of which we have to consider how development indicators in different levels are distributed. The first step to solve problems resulting from regional inequalities is to identify and classify regions regarding whether they are provided with services in different sectors especially hygienic-therapeutic ones. Accordingly, the present study has tried to categorize the 19 townships of Eastern Azerbaijan based on 8 hygienic-therapeutic indicators with regard to the 1385 (2006)statistical census using TOPSIS and AHP to weight the indicators and determine the rate of inequalities existing among these townships. This study is of a descriptive-analytical type. ArcGIS, SPSS and Excel are used to draw and analyze the map. The results show that since Tabriz is the administrative-political capital of the province it is placed first in terms of hygienictherapeutic indicators; among them Oskou is placed second right after Tabriz both of which are ranked high above the other townships. Malekanis last in this ranking and has, in terms of hygienic-therapeutic indicators, an inappropriate situation compared to the other townships.