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Statistical index (SI) as spatial modeling to evaluate the potential for greenbelt development in medium-sized Iranian cities

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Abstract

The present paper addresses spatial modeling for an easy and effective way to evaluate the greenbelt potentials in medium-sized cities in Iran. Data were collected from the cities of Babol, Kashan, Neyshabour, and Qazvin, and analyzed through geographical information system (GIS). All key variables were systematically set in an evaluation matrix called a statistical index (SI). The SI values were used to assess the current landscape pattern potentials for implementing greenbelts in these four cities. The results revealed moderate spatial suitability for greenbelt development for two cases (Neyshabour and Kashan) with SI values of 0.406 and 0.333, respectively. On the other side, the model showed high spatial suitability for the two other cases (Qazvin and Babol) with SI values of 0.654 and 0.523, respectively. Overall, the case of Qazvin revealed better chances for the development of a greenbelt, due to existing orchards as a sub-natural protection ring surrounding the city. This spatial model as pioneer research in quantifying greenbelt development potentials can be a successful practice for urban planning in medium-sized cities; this not only for Iranian cities, but it can be a new method to investigate greenbelt potential in other cities in Middle Eastern countries.

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Availability of data and material

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon request.

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Acknowledgements

This work is based on a model developed for the city of Qazvin, developed within a Ph.D. thesis atDepartment of Architecture and Urban Planning, Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias, Lisbon, Portugal.

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This study was not funded by any grant.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urban Development and Architecture, Municipality of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

    Sharareh Madanian

  2. Department of Architecture and Urban Planning, Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias, Lisbon, Portugal

    Sharareh Madanian

  3. Department of Architecture and Urban Planning, Interdisciplinary Research Centre for Education and Development, Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias, Lisbon, Portugal

    Carlos Smaniotto Costa

Authors
  1. Sharareh Madanian
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  2. Carlos Smaniotto Costa
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All authors were equally involved in analyzing and editing the paper.

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Correspondence to Sharareh Madanian.

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Madanian, S., Costa, C.S. Statistical index (SI) as spatial modeling to evaluate the potential for greenbelt development in medium-sized Iranian cities. Spat. Inf. Res. 28, 537–546 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41324-020-00314-0

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