Assessment of the Physical Development Trends of Residential Areas in Natural Hazard-Prone Regions of Kurdistan Province, Western Iran

Abstract

Cities in Kurdistan Province have a high potential for vulnerability to natural hazards. Given the importance of this issue, this study evaluates the trend of physical development in the cities of Kurdistan Province towards areas that are susceptible to natural hazards. The Landsat satellite images, ALOS PALSAR 12.5m DEM, and digital information layers were used as the main data sources. The main analytical tools used in this study are ArcGIS and ENVI. The results of the physical development assessment indicate that Sanandaj city has experienced the most significant physical development, with an increase of 12.35 km2 over 30 years. However, in terms of relative physical development (development relative to the area of the city), Sarvabad city has shown the highest relative physical development, with an increase of approximately 2.3 times over the same period. Furthermore, the examination of physical development in relation to the geomorphological conditions of the cities indicates that geomorphological factors play a primary role in the trend and direction of physical development in Kurdistan Province. Geomorphological constraints have led many residential areas to encroach into hazardous regions in recent years. According to the results obtained from 1992 to 2022, the following areas have encroached into hazardous zones: 1.84 km2 from Baneh, 0.51 km2 from Bijar, 0.29 km2 from Dehgolan, 0.33 km2 from Divandareh, 0.14 km2 from Sarvabad, 1.49 km2 from Saghez, 2.72 km2 from Sanandaj, 0.36 km2 from Qorveh, 0.23 km2 from Kamyaran, and 1.06 km2 from Marivan. Based on these results, it is recommended that urban planners prioritize the expansion of residential areas in safer locations and implement risk reduction strategies in hazardous zones. Future urban development should integrate geomorphological assessments to minimize vulnerability to natural hazards. These findings can serve as guidelines for sustainable urban planning and disaster risk management in Kurdistan Province.