Application of fuzzy logic in the evaluation of land suitability for urban physical development Case Study Karaj: Metropolis

Cities are the most important centers of human settlements and Center of civilization, Growth and development. Rapid population growth and consequently uncontrolled physical expansion of cities, is causing a variety of chemical, noise, visual pollution, and the types of land prices and environmental crises and etc, that these attitudes necessary preparatory spatial planning for the metropolitan area requires. Karaj metropolis with high population growth rates and increasing physical development in recent decades has been faced with numerous problems that need to perform a comprehensive review of urban and physical planning and demands for this metropolis. One of the basic and necessary steps for urban physical planning is assess the physical suitability of land for physical development. this article is aimed using 7 seven criteria including geology, earthquake acceleration of gravity, slope, distance from river, Distance from city, distance from faults, land use and using fuzzy logic integrated with GIS, land suitability for physical development of Karaj metropolis and the surrounding land is assessed and modeling. Results in terms of land suitability maps of zone classification showed that about 63 percent of the land areas of the settlements have been developed in good and very good suitability. Also, about 24 percent of the area of physical development in areas with low and very low suitability occurred. Results of the model provided is good tools for policy makers, urban planners and decision makers.