Analysis of Factors Affecting Urban Land Use Changes: A Case Study of Urmia City, Iran

Abstract The intricate relationship between human activities and the natural environment has a profound impact on land use patterns. These changes, whether direct or indirect, often lead to a myriad of environmental challenges that jeopardize the well-being of our planet. Therefore, understanding the nature of these transformations and the factors driving them is crucial for ensuring the sustainability of life and mitigating the adverse effects of land use changes. This research adopts an applied approach and follows an exploratory methodology. To identify land use changes, satellite imagery from the years 1993, 2003, 2013, and 2023 was analyzed using the ENVI, GIS, and Google Earth software. The study area encompasses the city of Urmia and its surrounding areas, covering a total of 26,768.7 hectares. The findings reveal a dynamic pattern of land use changes over the three decades from 1993 to 2023.