The Assessment and Ranking of Yasuj City Districts Regarding Smart Growth Indicators with Sustainable Development Approach

Today, smart growth is one of the effective urban planning strategies for sustainable urban development because, as an effective tool in measuring the concentration or dispersion of a city's growth, it plays an undeniable role in the development, change and shape of urban areas, especially in metropolises. The aim of this study is to measure the indicators of smart urban growth in order to prioritize the areas of Yasuj city, with emphasis on sustainable development. The present research is applied in terms of purpose and descriptive-analytical in nature and method. Data collection was carried out through documentary method, and the study benefited from the statistics and detailed plan of Yasuj city (2017). For this purpose, Shannon's entropy multi-indicator technique was used to weigh the indices used, then the electrification model was used to analyze and rank the indices. The findings show that the areas under study are at different levels in terms of smart growth indicators, which accordingly and with regards to smart city indicators, three cities of Yasuj was ranked first with 3 wins and 1 loss; district 4 came second with 2 wins and 2 losses; district one was ranked third with 1 win and 3 losses; and district two came fourth without a win and with 4 losses. Depending on the conditions of the area, the residents' opinions can be employed for further development, as using the rational opinions of the residents of the areas not only improve the physical and environmental condition of the urban areas, but also make citizens like and welcome the idea of participating in urban programs and decision-making processes.
 
Extended Abstract
1-Introduction
At the beginning of the 21st century, more than half of the population lives in cities, which has led to two major and interconnected environmental and demographic crises. What laid the foundation for urbanization and the development of modern cities dates back to the eighteenth century. Complex economic and technical developments after the Industrial Revolution have caused drastic changes in the size of cities and the proportion of the population living in them. The horizontal expansion of the city is a phenomenon that has occurred in the last half century not only in developed countries but also in developing ones. This phenomenon is the uncontrolled expansion of the city towards the peripheral and outer areas and in the form of gradual and isolated development. Consequences and problems of irregular horizontal distribution of the city include the destruction of local communities, social segregation, increase in the cost of urban service infrastructure, increase in the length and distance of urban travel, etc., all of which have limitations and problems that are obstacles to the city achieving sustainable urban development. The rapid expansion of cities has caused many problems in most countries of the world. Not only urban planning policies, socio-economic and environmental issues in many urban areas have been affected by this phenomenon. Although population growth is the primary reason for the rapid expansion of cities, its unreasonable dispersion has adverse effects on the natural and cultural environment of communities. Many efforts have been made to address the negative effects of sparse urban sprawl, which can be referred to as "smart growth" as a strategy for urban sustainability. Intelligent growth can be considered as a function for sustainable development. In fact, smart growth is a wise strategy to direct dispersion towards sustainability. Smart growth reflects the kind of development in which the promotion of civic life and vitality, public transportation, and the reduction of adverse environmental impacts are at the forefront of urban planners' considerations, and the revitalization of the city as a healthy and active environment that can lead to a better future. The provision (of facitlities) for all citizens is the main goal. Smart urban growth places great emphasis on issues such as mixed use, the use of compact buildings, and the creation of pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods. The term smart growth was coined by Maryland Mayor Paris Englanding from 1994 to 2002. It can be said that the foundations of this theory were in Canada and the United Statesas a reaction to the developments that began in the early 1960s. During the two decades of 1970 and 1980 in these two countries, the theory of smart urban growth based on the principles of sustainable development and intensive city was gradually formed and finally formulated in the form of a theory to stabilize the spatial form of cities.
 
2-Materials and Methods
The approach of the research space is descriptive-analytical in line with the nature of the subject and the goals of the research. Data collection is based on documents and through library method, and the statistical population includes four areas of Yasuj city. Accordingly, using the Elektre multi-criteria decision-making technique and the anthorophy shanon method, we have prioritized the four areas of Yasuj city based on the indicators of smart urban growth and weighing the indicators related to the work process, respectively.
 
3- Results and Discussion
The development of the city at the global level leads to the basic challenges of processing resources and facilities, occupying potential and empty fields for future development by the city and urbanization, and the like, which can develop the physical body of the city individually and in physical form. Urban development has progressed regardless of the efficient, high-efficiency and intelligent indicators. Prior to the issues of smart growth, the distribution pattern was a common and unplanned pattern in third-world countries, and a planned pattern in some developed countries. In the city of Yasuj, in order to achieve urban development and progress, smart growth strategy should be considered as the main strategy in sustainable urban regulations. This, while preserving the environment, prevents the uncontrolled expansion of the city. To achieve such sustainability, it is necessary to make plans based on the knowledge of the current situation in the whole city. Among the areas of Yasuj city, district 3 has the best conditions. Among the indicators proposed for this region, the access index with a weight of 0.3577 has the most impact. And the least impact has the physical index with a weight of 0.1036. Districts four, one and two are in the next ranks, respectively. Therefore, it can be said that there is a significant difference between the districts of Yasuj city. In terms of the degree of appropriateness to the intelligent growth indicators, district 3 has the best conditions and district 2 has the most unfavorable condition in terms of intelligent growth indicators among the districts of Yasuj city.
 
4- Conclusion
The accelerated trend of urban development that has dominated the cities of the country in recent years and the adverse consequences of such developments entail the need to change the prevailing views on urban planning and attention to the application of smart urban growth in urban development plans and programs. In this regard, it is necessary to introduce the concept of smart growth in all dimensions and areas of city life in principle, and to use it as a basis for organizing performance and communication between them. In the city of Yasuj, in order to achieve urban development and progress, smart growth strategy should be considered as the main strategy in sustainable urban regulations. This, while preserving the environment, prevents the uncontrolled expansion of the city. To achieve such sustainability, it is necessary to plan based on the knowledge of the current situation in the whole city. According to the research findings, district three occupied the first place with 3 wins and 1 loss, district four was ranked second with 2 wins and 2 losses, district one came third with 1 win and 3 losses, and district 2 took the fourth place with 4 losses and no win. In general, district three has the first rank of smart growth in Yasuj city.