Green Space Suitability Analysis Using Evolutionary Algorithm and Weighted Linear Combination (WLC) Method

With current new urban developments, no balance can be found between green spaces and open areas present within urban networks and natural land patterns since urban networks are dominating ecological networks. Accordingly, one of the major tasks of urban and regional planners is the optimal land use allocation to urban green spaces. Therefore, to achieve this goal in this research, locations of new parks(basis on physical, social and economical factors) were analyzed using weighted linear combination (WLC)techniques and evolutionary algorithms. After comparing the results of the two methods, suitable locations for the development of urban green spaces on a local scale were proposed, on the basis of which it was found that heuristic algorithms have good potential to work with spatial data and evaluate land use suitability since they obtain better solutions with greater accuracy and flexibility in less time. Afterwards, suitability analyses of existing local parks(basis on physical, social , economical and ecological factors) were performed using the WLC method and Fragstats software. It was discovered that the existing parks are not on a suitable level based on the study criteria. Therefore, it is suggested that newer parks be established in areas with greater potential and small green spots as well asin the northern parts of the city for improvement.