Ecological capability assessment by using GIS and analytic hierarchy process (Case study: Tabriz Suburb)

In order to achieve sustainable development, it is necessary to obtain and adopt planning procedures based on Multi Criteria Evaluation of natural environment. Since biophysical (natural) environment has limited ecological capabilities for human use, ecological capability assessment, as an essence for environmental studies and with the aim of preventing existing crises, yields proper grounds for environmental planning. The analysis of land capability and sufficiency for urban development is one of the main categories with which urban planners deal. In this paper, by Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) through the perspective of Multi Criteria Evaluation (MCE) Approach and within the Geographic Information Systems (GIS), ecological capability of the suburbs surrounding Tabriz city was assessed (natural and human in terms of 12 criteria) to examine the physical development of Tabriz city and final mapping of the region was provided. This mapping shows regions suitable for physical urban development of the city. The results and finding of this research were applied by urban planners.