Application of Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) in Ecological Capacity Assessment For Rural-Urban Development: Seidon Case

Population Expansion of large rural centers can turn them into new cities. This change may lead to unwilling environmental impacts. Seidon area locates in southern province of Khoozestan. Regarding Seidon likely future development, it requires to make tradeoff between conservation and development so as to prevent environmental adverse impacts. To meet this aim, ecological capacity assessment has been utilized to determine suitable arenas for development activities. Analytical Hierarchical Process technique was used. First, six ecological data strata, including slope, direction, altitude, vegetation, soil, geology were prepared. These data were used through Arc GIS. On the other hand, other data were gathered through expert views. Based on the new data, primary and normal matrices were made. Finally, by using Idrisi software, space of each arena was computed. 12.5% of the Seidon area has first priority of ecological capacity for rural and urban development. 21.3% of the space of area has second priority of ecological capacity for rural and urban development. The rest of the area lacks ecological capacity for rural-urban development.