Land use evaluation and capacity assessment for sustainable urban physical development: case of study Ahvaz city

Abstract

Land use evaluation and capacity assessment for sustainable urban development in Ahvaz city has become crucial due to rapid urban expansion negatively impacting current and future development. Urban population growth and resource demands have led to a decline in environmental quality. Over the past decades, Ahvaz has identified potential areas for future expansion until 2030. This study assesses the city's physical expansion and spatial development patterns, aiming to identify optimistic future development scenarios. Emphasizing balanced and equitable development, the study focuses on suitable areas, environmental preservation, pollution reduction, and mitigating urban hazards . Various factors, including land use, soil type, vegetation density, landform, groundwater level, geology, and distances from railways, industries, roads, hinterland cities, water networks, faults, and the city itself, are considered. Three decision-making methods—logic, Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), and integrated Fuzzy-AHP—are applied to map urban physical development. Fuzzy logic, AHP models, Expert Choice, Arc GIS software, and a land fit zoning map are used for data analysis. The AHP assesses the factors' relative importance, followed by standardization based on fuzzy set theory. Criteria factors are then combined using AHP and fuzzy logic to generate a land suitability map. The study identifies five zones for Ahvaz's future development—very high, high, medium, low, and very low—based on their physical expansion potential. The third scenario, supported by maps, indicates favorable conditions for future development in the northwest and southwest zones, considering environmental characteristics, infrastructure, and land continuity.

Introduction

The rapid urbanization observed in developing countries has often overlooked critical natural and ecological factors (Ghalehteimouri et al. 2024a, b). The confluence of population growth and uneven urban and regional development presents a formidable challenge to the prospective development capacity of southern developing nations. As elucidated in research by Polidoro et al. (2011); Kamran et al. (2020), this challenge manifests through patterns of urban sprawl and informal development. Looking forward to 2050, a period expected to witness substantial urban population growth, it becomes imperative for urban land development and land-use planning to adopt policies that mitigate the adverse impacts on land and natural resources. As emphasized by Bodhankar et al. (2022), the quest to identify suitable land for urban growth, along with determining the most judicious path for such development, hinges on an accurate assessment of urban land suitability. Technological advancements, particularly in the domain of rapid transportation, are reshaping the urban development landscape. According to Bennett et al. (2016), this transformation is not only influencing urban growth patterns but also impacting environmental capacities, management systems, and community governance structures (Ghalehteimouri 2024). A holistic strategy for future urban development entails the integration of various aspects of urban form and natural resources, including croplands, fertile soils, rivers, and urban green infrastructures (Chamanara and Kazemeini 2016). This approach enhances the overall livability of the city and serves as a magnet for residents by offering employment opportunities. However, as noted by Dolui and Sarkar (2022), the potential for ecological and socioeconomic harm in metropolitan areas persists, thereby compounding future challenges (Ghalehteimouri et al. 2024a, b).

Land suitability assessment is the process of categorizing land quality based on its suitability for a specific purpose (MacDonald 2006). This evaluation plays a crucial role in understanding the spatial arrangement of urban elements, connecting existing development theories with new ones by examining how phenomena impact and shape land suitability (Sharma et al. 2018). The initial step involves scrutinizing changes in environmental capabilities around the city to assess the suitability of the land and its amenities for optimal future urban development (Ghalehteimouri and Khaliji 2023). Another essential aspect is investigating the causes of scattering and the principal components driving spatial growth and expansion. Given that human actions, especially land-use changes and activities, profoundly impact the landscape and environment, urban spatial development planning and land use are crucial (Searle et al. 2021).

Exploring the appropriateness of urban land use is vital for informed and deliberate decision-making by urban planners. Determining land suitability requires considering diverse criteria, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are a valuable tool for addressing multi-criteria decision-making challenges. GIS helps the creation of an efficient land use model, minimizing conflicts among urban planners and contributing to the identification of future goals for urban sustainability (Salamatnia and Jozi 2021; Jelokhani-Niaraki 2021). Identifying suitable land use must prioritize the current and future needs of citizens. Consequently, the urban development process aims to model an optimal urban shape, ensuring the well-being of the population and fostering a healthier and safer environment (Egerer et al. 2018). However, it's crucial to acknowledge that urban development can adversely impact the ecological foundations of cities (Kheirizadeh Arouq et al. 2020; Ghalehteimouri et al. 2024a, b), often neglecting the value of urban ecosystem services. Physical urban development leads to the destruction of agricultural and rangeland, encroachment on rivers, and a general depletion of natural resources. Recognizing the role of ecological factors is pivotal in shaping the trajectory of urban development (Moroke et al. 2019).

Over the last two decades, Ahvaz has witnessed a physical and spatial expansion characterized by suburban sprawl, deviating from the city's established urban identity. This uneven growth has notably depleted agricultural and rangeland in the suburbs, posing challenges as outlined by Maleki et al. (2020). The rapid sprawl poses a threat to natural environmental resources that were once abundant in the fertile agricultural lands surrounding the city. Recognizing the importance of preserving peri-urban ecosystem services has become crucial to mitigate the diverse impacts of climate change (Lee et al. 2015). Effectively managing the dimensions and dynamic physical expansion of urban areas is a pivotal challenge in guiding urban growth and alleviating its adverse effects on the environment and ecosystems. While acknowledging the significance of physical urban growth for a sustainable economy, it is essential to note that uncontrolled or irregular expansion can lead to a range of issues. These issues include the destruction of open spaces, alterations to landscapes, environmental pollution, traffic congestion, and increased pressure on infrastructure (Xiang 2021; Mousavei et al. 2023). Striking a balance between sustainable urban development and environmental preservation is critical for the long-term well-being of Ahvaz. Addressing these challenges requires the continuous monitoring of urban development evolution, assessing the type and magnitude of changes over time. This monitoring serves as a valuable tool to aid planners and decision-makers in formulating effective urban planning strategies (Murgante et al. 2009; Shamaei and Jafarpour Ghalehteimouri 2024). The study investigates suitable zones for the city's physical expansion concerning natural resources using fuzzy logic and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) models. AHP is utilized to evaluate the relative importance of factors, followed by the standardization of criteria factors based on fuzzy set theory (Saaty 1987, 1988, 2006). Subsequently, all criteria factors are combined using AHP and fuzzy logic methods to generate a land suitability map for future development (Riyas et al. 2021; Rasoli et al. 2023).

The challenges of urban overpopulation density and disproportionate capacity in urban areas have led to the fragility of borders and the depletion of natural resources' privacy (Saatsaz 2020; Perino et al. 2019). The study on the urban stages of growth and physical development reveals that natural resources and ecological foundations play a significant role in guiding development directions. The growth pattern of the city is influenced by topography, water resources, soil, urban infrastructure—especially road networks—and urban facilities and equipment. Utilizing natural and ecological data to support land use planning, particularly in urban areas, is crucial for determining urban land fit for future expansion. One necessity in this regard is addressing the rapid expansion towards suburbs, leading to the unbalanced use of fertile lands in urban infrastructure and resulting in various economic and environmental risks.

Ahvaz is surrounded by the most valuable agricultural and gardens which contribute to the quality of the environment, food, and urban economy. Nevertheless, the current urban development directions and speed have destroyed these valuable environmental resources. This study evaluates the tendency of Ahvaz’s physical expansion based on comprehensive and land use planning, and how city development follows its natural resources during the last two decades. It is necessary to reduce the negative environmental effects of such urban sprawl, which is the main cause of the decline in air, water, and soil. Therefore, land suitability is the best way to address the proper use of land for different development goals according to citizens’ needs and less harm to the environment.

Materials and methods

Study area

Ahvaz, situated at Longitude: 48.670620 and Latitude: 31.318327 (DMS Lat: 31° 19′ 5.9772'' N), holds a significant position among Iranian metropolises due to its abundant natural resources, fertile soil, and strategic location vis-à-vis other Persian Gulf countries. As per the 2020 census conducted by the Statistical Center of Iran, Ahvaz boasts a population of approximately 1,400,000, making it the seventh most populated city in the country. Nestled in the plains of Khuzestan, the city rests at an elevation of 12 m above sea level, covering an expansive area of 18,650 hectares, ranking it among the largest cities in Iran. The Karun River, originating from the Bakhtiari Mountains, flows through Ahvaz, dividing the city into its eastern and western parts (Ahvaz Municipality Planning and Development Deputy, 2012). Recent official statistics indicate that 32% of Khuzestan province's population resides in the metropolis of Ahvaz. Of this population, 35% inhabits the outskirts of the city, making Ahvaz the second-most marginalized city after Mashhad. Ahvaz plays a crucial role in the country's oil production, contributing to 51% of the oil produced in the southern oil-rich regions. The city is also home to some of the largest industrial facilities in Iran, including The National Iranian South Oil Company and National Iranian Drilling Company. This concentration of industrial activity has positioned Ahvaz as a key industrial center in the country, attracting a significant influx of immigrants. Figure 1 illustrates the location of the study area.

Fig. 1

Ahvaz city. Source: (Alizadeh and Sharifi 2020)

Materials and methods

In order to identify suitable lands for optimal development of Ahvaz city and evaluate the development of the city from 13 variables and indicators including; land use, soil type, vegetation type, landform, groundwater water table, land type, distance from railway, distance from large, industries, distance from roads, distance from suburbs, distance from the waterway, and distance from fault data has been collected. The secondary data have been used in this study to provide the base map from the government agencies. The secondary data were obtained from the planning documents, municipal data, and urban consultant companies in charge of planning drafts. A layer was extracted based on the data extracted from these documents and strengthened with field observation and data collection. After that, the collected data and observations were used in prioritizing the criteria and sub-criteria according to the research background.

Analytical hierarchy process (AHP) stage

• 1. Problem deconstruction

  • Identify the factors influencing land suitability for the optimal development of Ahvaz city.

  • Recognize the need for a comprehensive decision-making model (Boroushaki and Malczewski 2008).

• 2. Hierarchy development

  • Establish a hierarchical structure of decision criteria.

  • Define main criteria, sub-criteria, and alternatives.

  • Paralleling qualitative assessment approach is employed for identifying the best decision criteria (Karamidehkordi et al. 2024).

• 3. AHP application

  • Apply the AHP method for pairwise comparisons of criteria and alternatives.

  • Gather expert opinions and form trapezoidal fuzzified numbers for fuzzy analysis.

  • Utilize AHP for determining the level of preference and relative importance of criteria (Hajkowicz et al. 2000; Yalcin and Bulut 2007).

Fuzzy model integration stage

• 4. Urban development and land suitability analysis

  • Analyze the process of urban development and its impact on land suitability.

  • Consider the urban growth and development model as a basis for analysis.

  • Explore changes in the shape and structure of the city (Darvishi et al. 2020).

• 5. Exploratory and analytical study

  • Define the research structure as exploratory and analytical, aligning with the research objectives (Alavi et al. 2020; Barthakur et al. 2022).

• 6. Secondary data collection

  • Collect secondary data from upstream documents and planning drafts.

  • Establish a foundation for subsequent analyses.

• 7. Field data analysis using AHP

  • Apply the AHP model to analyze field data.

  • Use collected data in the ArcGIS environment for preference weighting of each criterion Foroozesh et al. 2022; Mijani et al. 2022).

• 8. Fuzzy model application

  • Introduce fuzzy logic to address the impracticality of traditional AHP in handling subjective issues (Zadeh 1965).

  • Use fuzzy-AHP to enhance result accuracy by incorporating fuzzy numbers.

  • Highlight the relevance and importance of each criterion through fuzzy numbers.

• 9. Multi-criteria decision making with fuzzy-AHP

  • Select Fuzzy-AHP as a powerful method for Multi-Criteria Decision Making.

  • Transform environmental problems into decision criteria for optimal spatial development (Deng 1999; Caprioli and Bottero 2021).

• 10. Criteria weighting and map preparation

  • Utilize 13 criteria of the fuzzy-AHP method for weighting.

  • Prepare land suitability maps in the ArcGIS environment, considering the fuzzy nature of criteria and preferences (Jiang and Eastman 2000; Kılıc et al. 2022).

This integrative approach, combining AHP and fuzzy logic, ensures a comprehensive and accurate assessment of land suitability, considering both qualitative and fuzzy characteristics in decision-making (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2

Conceptual framework of The Ahvaz Metropolis for identification of optimal physical development directions

Results

Urban development tendencies

Based on historical data and various time series maps, Ahvaz has undergone two distinct types of development. The first phase involved a slow and traditional development pattern before 1920, characterized by gradual expansion towards suburban areas. The second phase saw significant growth driven by the oil and gas industry in Khuzestan, along with large-scale agricultural activities, particularly the presence of Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Agro-Industry Co (Moradi et al. 2016). The concentration of agricultural and industrial endeavors in Ahvaz has made it a highly attractive city, not only within Khuzestan province but also on a national scale.

Over the past five decades, especially between 1972 and 2010, the urban sprawl in Ahvaz has accelerated at an unprecedented rate. Urban sprawl, known for causing various environmental and socio-economic issues such as diminished open spaces, increased runoff, and flooding in urban areas (Wu 2006; Efron et al. 2020), has become a notable concern. Urban planning for horizontal development adheres to the highest administrative government laws, setting it apart from the regulations governing urban sprawl. Unlike urban sprawl laws, horizontal development is primarily governed by administrative law, environmental protection law, architecture law, and administration approval law (Zhang and Wang 2019) as shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 3

Ahvaz urban development tendency between 1972 and 2010

Rapid population growth imposes increased demand for urban land use and delineates distinct land classes within urban areas. Addressing the present and future needs of urban residents necessitates a precise understanding of urban demographic growth trends. Since each land use in urban areas consumes land per capita, accurate projections of future population growth become pivotal for designing, selecting, and earmarking suitable areas for development. This ensures meeting the population's diverse requirements, including health, housing, green spaces, and various other uses.

Ahvaz has undergone substantial population growth over the past 50 years. In 1957, the population was 120,098, and by 2016, the last census recorded over one million inhabitants (1,122,021), establishing it as a population metropolis in Iran. Based on historical population growth trends, it is projected that the population of this metropolis will reach 1,800,961 by 2030. The population growth rate and migration rate have exhibited significant fluctuations in various censuses. The highest rates occurred in 1977, with a 6.2% natural population growth and a 30.9% migration rate. Conversely, the lowest population growth rate was recorded at 1.55% in 2016 (see Table 1).

Table 1 Urban population growth between forecasting (1957–2030)

As shown in Table 2, in the horizon of 2030, the area of land required for urban uses is about 2606 hectares, the highest amount of which is related to residential per capita with 680 hectares.

Table 2 Calculation of the future urban physical expansion

Analysis

Stage 1: The research utilized a corrected and modified layer format, with subsequent geotagging using Euclidean Distance. This initial stage ensured a more accurate representation of spatial relationships.

Stage 2: Standardization of Benchmark Maps—The effective maps in land suitability analysis for the physical expansion of Ahvaz metropolis underwent standardization in this stage. Due to the heterogeneity of their units, fuzzy logic (Fuzzy Membership) was employed to standardize and homogenize the maps, enhancing their flexibility. Fuzzy standardization values range between (1–0), with (1) indicating the highest suitability for physical expansion and (0) the lowest. Table 3 outlines the layers, fuzzy functions, and types of functions used in Fuzzy Membership for the standardization of each criterion. Fuzzy logic, through thousands of examinations and interactions, establishes interlayer weight matrix relations, a crucial step in fuzzy urban physical development.

Table 3 Fuzzy functions of standardization of land suitability analysis criteria for physical expansion

Figures 4 are fuzzified and standardized by (fuzzy membership).

Fig. 4

Fuzzified and standardized. A Distance from water network, B Distance from heavy industries, C Distance from road network, D Distance from the railway, E Distance from city indicator, F Distance from hinterland cities indicator, G Ground water level, H Distance from faults, I Vegetation density indicator, J Geological indicator, K Landform, L Land-use M Soil type

Stage 3: Expert Consultation and Weight Determination—In this stage, experts were consulted regarding the studied criteria, and their insights were used to determine the weights associated with each criterion. This step is essential for the subsequent stages of analysis and decision-making.

Calculate compatibility rate (CR)

The compatibility rate in the AHP method is an indicator that shows the compatibility of comparisons. This rate indicates the degree of accuracy and precision of the valuations in pairwise comparisons. This is supposed to necessitate from a ranking method pairwise comparison method. It considered the comparisons to be good and correct, otherwise the valuation and pairwise comparisons must be reperformed or corrected. The adjustment rate is obtained by calculating the adjustment index (CI) and the following Eq. 1:

$${\text{CI}}{\mkern 1mu} = {\mkern 1mu} {\mkern 1mu} \sum {\lambda {\text{max}} - n/n - 1}$$

(1)

In the above relation, λmax is the eigenvector element and n is the number of criteria. The eigenvector element is obtained from the following Eq. 2:

$${\text{Criterion weight}}/{\text{row of evaluation matrix weight column}} - \lambda {\text{max}}$$

(2)

λmax must be calculated by the number of criteria for all of them and then summed by them in relation to (1) CI. Another required index is the random index (CR), which is obtained in proportion to the number of criteria from Table 4, and finally, the adjustment rate is calculated from Eq. 3.

$${\text{CR}}\, = \,{\text{CI/RI}}$$

(3)

Table 4 Value of each criteria

According to the above explanations, the value of compatibility rate in the present calculations according to Table 4 was equal to 0.03 (Fig. 4).

Stage 4: In this step, the standardized maps with the fuzzy logic model in (Fuzzy Membership) and the weights obtained from the AHP model (Table 5) using (Raster Calculator) whose output map (Fig. 5), indicates the suitability of lands for the physical expansion of the metropolis of Ahvaz. These are the study of the most important parts because they might be able to point out priority areas for land rehabilitation. The way is then open to what may be the most important step in the whole analysis—an investigation into the reasons why land is being misused in these areas.

Table 5 Area and percentage of land suitability for physical expansion of Ahvaz metropolis

Fig. 5

Land suitability values and future physical development in Ahvaz

Step 5: In this step, the land suitability map for physical expansion, the scores of which were defined in the range 0–1, is classified, the output of which (Fig. 6) is the value of land suitability for the physical expansion of the metropolis of Ahvaz. Classification of the role of the indicators into capacity, impact, and feasibility classes and prediction of the whole land suitability classes of the future land use. To give a clear explanation the achieved partial performance indicators based on different weights for land suitability can show very high suitability to unfavorable. Furthermore, providing interrelationship between achieved indices based on the field observation validates and approves the accuracy of data collection and analysis. The accuracy of urban natural evaluation for physical planning plays a critical role to achieve current and future planning goals through the calibration of spatial development (Aliani et al. 2021) (Fig. 7).

Fig. 6

Ahvaz land suitability classification for future physical expansion

Fig. 7

The future scenarios. A Scenario 1, B Scenario 2, C Scenario 3, D Scenario 4

In this study, we evaluate three layers of Ahvaz city including natural environment protection, physical development, and land suitability. Based on these three important factors we introduced four scenarios for Ahvaz’s physical development which shows the areas and the percentage of land suitability for Ahvaz’s future physical development. According to the scenarios defined urban Physical development in Ahvaz with the current situation does not really meet the land suitability goals, and it will destroy more natural resources in the Ahvaz metropolis area (Fig. 7) (Table 5).

The following four scenarios have been designed for the physical development of the Ahvaz metropolis, which has been analyzed and studied above.

Discussions

Taking into account the experiences and theories linked to urban growth and development, as well as good urban design and land appropriateness for the process of urban development to function optimally, it was discovered that Ahvaz city's development has not been on track in recent decades. Urban chaos and the depletion of natural resources have caused a number of environmental concerns. As a result, urban development in Ahvaz exhibited unplanned and poorly planned tendencies, with no adequate monitoring of development directions and consequences. It is essential to manage and lead the city's growth and development by considering into account continuing and future environmental issues. Rapid urbanization and population increase in the city continue to be based on previous methods and approaches, and as a result of this planning tradition, informal urban sprawl emerges in the surrounding areas. Planning must take into account all decisions concerning future capacity and capability; if available natural resources are not used rationally, future development will be challenged. Any future development in the name of housing, industry, or agriculture results in a dispersed urban sprawl development with significant environmental consequences. This process is the result of inadequate urban planning and administration, as well as a lack of localized urban planning capable of integrating and addressing Ahvaz's urban development.

The evaluation of land suitability for futuristic physical expansion is the core of this Ahvaz city study, which is based on ten indicators divided into two sub-indicators: (a) geographical areas and b) natural indicators, which were addressed using the fuzzy hierarchical model, and Ahvaz's futuristic physical expansion was analyzed using four scenarios. Table 5 shows that highly proportioned lands account for approximately 25% of the total area analyzed in this study. Figure 7 depict four possibilities of land suitability for future physical expansion in the city of Ahvaz. According to these maps, under the first scenario (with a very high proportion of land suitability), lands appropriate for physical expansion are scattered or isolated in the northwest of the city, accounting for 9.7% of land use. In the second scenario (high to very high proportion), the northwest is connected, while the southwest is expanding on its own. In the third scenario (medium to high proportion), the city's northwest and southwest directions are connected, but the land ratio in the east is initially scattered and disconnected before being integrated. In the fourth scenario (containing low to very high proportions), the importance is less than in the previous situations. Other places are eligible for physical expansion in this scenario, with the exception of the north for agricultural fields, the south for lowlands, lakes, groves, agricultural lands, and the new city of Kut Abdullah, and the east for wetlands.

The third scenario is extremely advantageous because in the other opportunities, particularly in the first scenario, development lacks a proper spatial pattern in relation to natural resources, and development is highly dispersed. Furthermore, the city cannot develop in two separate directions, resulting in a sprawl and dispersal development. This is a favorable ground for physical expansion in an integrated manner, and it covers several portions of the city that appear to be suitable for the future physical expansion of Ahvaz. Land use is an important consideration when assessing land suitability via secondary data analysis (for example, hydrology, meteorology, geology, and road network). The precision and sufficiency of the data allowed it to identify future development paths and trends. The ecological roots of Ahvaz support physical development. The natural qualities of the region, particularly geomorphological circumstances such as the plain's positions, sufficient slope, proximity to the Karun River, and groundwater resources in the Ahvaz plain, have created several prospects for Ahvaz's growth. However, urban physical expansion without consideration for natural resources can result in increased expenditures, dangers, hazards, and environmental difficulties. The type and direction of growth in Ahvaz may result in new or unusual hazards to the environment that affect residents' lives.

According to the final maps created by combining natural resources and regional criteria, it is clear that the land conditions in the northwest and southwest are experiencing rapid physical growth towards the northeast and southwest. In contrast, the north and south regions have constraints such as coping with industrial units, agricultural land, rivers, and the new city of Kut Abdullah. In terms of hydrological studies, Ahvaz has a lot of groundwater, and the Karun River, in addition to being attractive, is also prone to flooding. As a result, future planning must consider these hydrological hazards in physical development to prevent flooding and water contamination. These areas need to develop land-use plans that are appropriate for their natural resources. Because of the value of the land surrounding Ahvaz, planning and land use must be proper and consistent for future expansions. As detailed in the created maps (Fig. 7), and the damage caused by a lack of planning and attention to natural resources. Planners and decision-makers must grasp the causes and effects of land degradation, which they may be able to implement gradually or rapidly on unfavorable land. These decisions must extend beyond metropolitan bounds, encouraging farmers to pursue more productive and sustainable land use practices.

Conclusion

Ahvaz, located in Iran's active south-west region, is a key metropolitan hub that contributes significantly to the country's large oil and gas industry, as well as agricultural development. The city's strategic importance has increased in unison with population growth and the use of key land resources. This study dives into the critical issue of defining various land uses inside Ahvaz City, acknowledging the importance of balancing urban expansion with the protection of environmental and natural assets. The study provides a comprehensive approach, including geographical, ecological, and anthropogenic elements, to assess the suitability of land for future physical expansion. Recognizing the historical trajectory of urban development, the study analyzes trends that have contributed to sprawl, notably in the recent two decades. These patterns are determined to be incompatible with the city's urban identity, resulting in the loss of agricultural and rangeland in the suburbs.

The research analyzes ten critical indicators using complex approaches such as fuzzy logic, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), and GIS technology. These indications include land use, soil type, vegetation density, landform, groundwater level, geology, proximity to transportation and industrial hubs, and other distance-related characteristics. The use of decision-making tools and models, together with expert discussions, results in a more nuanced knowledge of land suitability for future urban development. According to the findings, certain areas of Ahvaz are better suited to physical expansion than others. The indicated areas, notably in the northwest and southwest, appear to be potential for future urban expansion due to their good natural attributes and existing infrastructure. The study's scenarios emphasize the necessity of integrated planning, highlighting the need to avoid unplanned sprawl in favor of a balanced, environmentally responsible approach.

In the face of fast population expansion and urbanization, the study emphasizes the importance of ongoing monitoring and informed decision-making by urban planners. The recommended methods take into account not only the inhabitants' current requirements, but also future demands for health care, housing, green space, and overall liveability. The study throws light on the complex relationship between urban development, environmental issues, and the preservation of natural resources. As Ahvaz looks to the future, addressing the issues of uncontrolled urban expansion, environmental degradation, and possible hazards, the study acts as a guiding light. It promotes a comprehensive understanding of the city's ecological basis, emphasizing the importance of incorporating natural and ecological data into urban planning. The offered scenarios provide a framework for attaining optimal urban growth, leading Ahvaz toward a more sustainable, resilient, and harmonious future.