Application of GIS in locating new development projects in Birjand: Analysis of suitable sites for housing and infrastructure

As an advanced tool in urban planning, Geographical Information System (GIS) plays a pivotal role in locating new development projects in Birjand city. Birjand, the capital of South Khorasan Province, is challenged by geographical and environmental challenges, such as resource scarcity, mountainous topography with steep slopes, earthquake risk due to proximity to faults, and excessive urban sprawl. The application of GIS in analyzing suitable sites for housing and infrastructure, by integrating various data, enables scientific and sustainable decision-making. Use cases include raster layers such as digital elevation model (SRTM) for slope and orientation, precipitation and temperature maps, vector layers such as watersheds, road network, current land use, well and canal locations, active faults, and existing residential areas. Advanced analytical methods such as the AHP for criteria weighting, logic for uncertainty management, and Weighted Overlay in ArcGIS software are used for multi-criteria evaluation (MCE). In housing siting, key terms include: slope less than ۵% for stability, distance less than ۲۰۰ meters from faults for seismic mitigation, good access to roads and utilities (less than ۱ km), features close to groundwater sources, and inaccessibility to floodplains or dry deserts. For infrastructure such as roads, parks, and public food, economic factors (land cost), soil sustainability, and environmental impacts (protection of vegetation and wildlife) are prioritized. Similar studies in the Birjand Plain, such as locating landfill sites or groundwater potential with frequency ratio (FR) and logistic regression models, show ۸۳–۹۳% accuracy in identifying suitable classes (high and medium). Combining GIS with machine or up-to-date satellite data (such as Sentinel-۲) can enhance ۳D modeling and prediction.

کلیدواژه ها:

Geographic Information System (GIS) ، Location ، Civil Projects ، Birjand ، Groundwater ، Multi-Criteria Evaluation (MCE)