Investigating the Effects of Urbanization of Qarahsoo River on Kermanshah Using SWOT Model

Inner-city rivers are acknowledged as environmental assets for cities, actively contributing to the provision of environmental resources, biodiversity, and environmental vitality. This research focuses on assessing the impact of urbanization on the Qarasu river system. Specifically, it investigates the effects of human activities and the expanding urban footprint on the drainage pattern, alterations in the river channel, and associated geomorphological risks in the city of Kermanshah. By employing the chi-square test across two main time frames and five sub-frames, the study delves into the consequences of urbanization on the Qara-Su River over four decades. The research results underscore a significant relationship between changes in the width of the Qara-Su river channel, as swiftly evaluated through geomorphic analysis, and the land use in the surrounding areas.