Advanced Applied Geology

Advanced Applied Geology

Zoning Vulnerability of Urban Infrastructure in District 3 of Ahvaz, Emphasizing Environmental and Geological Hazards

Authors
s.jafar hejazi 1
forugh ghashtil 2
1 Department of Architecture, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran,
2 Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
10.22055/aag.2026.52333.2572
Abstract
Due to its unique geographical location, geomorphological conditions, proximity to the Karun River, and rapid urban development, the city of Ahvaz has always been exposed to a diverse range of environmental and geohazards. The occurrence of periodic floods, land subsidence, dust storms, industrial pollution, high groundwater levels, and geological vulnerability has threatened the safety of urban infrastructure. The present study was conducted to microzone the vulnerability of urban infrastructure in District 3 of Ahvaz to these environmental and geohazards. This applied, descriptive-analytical study is based on spatial modeling in a GIS environment. In this regard, 562 urban infrastructure units were identified across four main categories: critical infrastructure, emergency services, public-civilian infrastructure, and managerial infrastructure. Additionally, 14 effective layers-including flood risk, distance from the Karun River, industrial density, groundwater level, drainage network, soil type, incompatible land uses, medical centers, arterial roads, population density, green spaces, and sensitive urban centers-were extracted and analyzed. The combined AHP-Fuzzy model was utilized to weight the criteria, and the Fuzzy Overlay tool in ArcGIS was used to integrate the layers. The results indicate that a significant portion of the infrastructure in District 3 of Ahvaz is located in high- and very-high-vulnerability zones. The concentration of sensitive infrastructure near flood paths and industrial land uses, as well as in areas with unsuitable geomorphological conditions, has increased the likelihood of environmental crises and urban disruptions. The findings reveal that approximately 50% of the district's infrastructure is highly vulnerable, and more than half of the district's area is exposed to high hazard levels. Therefore, observing passive defense principles, managing environmental risks, and accounting for geomorphological limitations are essential for urban development planning in Ahvaz. Overall, by providing practical micro-zonation maps, this research provides an operational framework for optimal infrastructure site selection, prioritization of retrofitting measures, comprehensive crisis management scenario design, and the development of local passive defense regulations in District 3 of Ahvaz.
Keywords
Environmental hazards
geological hazards
urban vulnerability
micro-zoning
Ahvaz city
Subjects
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Advanced Applied Geology
Volume 16, Issue 2
Summer 2026
Pages 1-29