Examining the Impact of Physical Development in Firuzabad County on Rural Settlements Using the Normalized Difference Built-up Index (NDBI)

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

This study examines the impact of physical development in Firuzabad County on rural settlements using the Normalized Difference Built-up Index (NDBI). The main objective of the research is to analyze the effects of the expansion of built-up areas on the population and sustainability of villages over different time periods (1975-1990, 1990-2000, 2000-2014, and 2014-2024). The satellite data used in the study include Landsat series images, which were processed through Google Earth Engine to extract the NDBI for each period. Additionally, population density maps of villages for various years were prepared using statistical data and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The results indicate that the expansion of built-up areas has mainly occurred near densely populated settlements and fertile agricultural lands. This development, particularly during the 2014-2024 period, has led to a reduction in agricultural lands and widespread changes in land use. The analysis of population density reveals that villages near Firuzabad city have been most affected by physical development, resulting in a decline in agricultural livelihoods and an increase in construction activities. Conversely, some remote villages have experienced a decrease in population density and depopulation.These changes pose serious challenges to the sustainability of rural settlements, requiring sustainable land-use management, proper spatial planning, and continuous monitoring of construction trends. The analysis of NDBI and population density maps shows a significant correlation between increased population density and construction development in the villages of Firuzabad County. More densely populated areas, due to infrastructure and access to facilities, have experienced greater construction activities. In contrast, less populated areas have seen lower levels of construction development and population attraction.Examples of villages that have experienced significant construction development and a noticeable decline in agriculture include Jaydasht, Ahmadabad, and Baygan. On the other hand, villages like Khergheh, Dehoyeh, Manaroyeh, and Qasr-e-Asim, with smaller populations and less construction, have seen higher migration rates toward the city.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Geography and Territorial Spatial Arrangement
Volume 15, Issue 57
November 2025
Pages 87-112

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History

  • Receive Date: 01 February 2025
  • Revise Date: 24 September 2025
  • Accept Date: 01 October 2025

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