Land Use Conflict Identification Based on Land Use Multi-Objective Suitability Evaluation in Mashhad Region

Land conflicts are possible when the multiple needs of several land-uses overlap in space and cannot be coordinated. Within the Mashhad urban complex's boundaries, urbanization has taken up quality environmental spaces and resulted in the fragmentation and degradation of agricultural and environmental resources. The optimal use of land resources and sustainability depends on locating and resolving land use conflicts. This study looked into land-use conflicts from the perspective of land-use suitability. For this purpose, using the multi-criteria evaluation analysis, using natural, spatial, planning, and water resources indicators, land suitability for three agricultural, ecological, and residential uses was evaluated in three categories high, medium, and medium and low. Moreover, based on the combination of the suitability of three land-uses using the proposed model, the intensity of conflicts in three classes and the type of conflicts in twelve classes have been detected. In the following, the possibility of land changes is stated according to the type and intensity of each conflict. The results show that the percentage of land area with high ecological suitability has been lower compared to the other two land-uses. Also, the suitability of ecological land from the center of the area to the periphery increases with the increase in height. Land suitability for residential use decreases as it moves away from cities and roads. The largest percentage of land in Mashhad urban complex is exposed to potential conflict with medium intensity of conflict; the most types of conflicts related to the severe and moderate conflict were agricultural and residential lands. The largest percentage of land in Mashhad urban complex is exposed to potential conflict with medium intensity; the most types of conflicts related to two types of severe and moderate conflict were agricultural and residential lands.