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The complex, dynamic and non-linear characteristics of land use change (LUC) modelling necessitate the development of advanced models and methods. In this research, a novel and stepwise approach is developed for modelling integrated LUC at the regional level based on land suitability, land demand and land use conversion rules. The aim of this model is to use different models (i.e. geographic information systems, remote sensing, fuzzy logic, cellular automata and multi-criteria decision analysis) in a logical way to improve model development, model evaluation and prediction of LUC. The proposed model was implemented in ‘Borkhar and Meymeh’ township, Iran, for two periods (1986–1998 and 1998–2005). Results for producer accuracy, user accuracy, overall accuracy and figure of merit were 0.345, 0.357, 0.351, 0.234 respectively in the first period (1986–1998) and 0.302, 0.287, 0.0.294, 0.202 respectively in the second period (1998–2005). Our results suggest that the developed model is accurate, when compared with the results of existing models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This research is aimed at developing a model for assessing land use compatibility in densely built-up urban areas. In this process, a new model was developed through the combination of a suite of existing methods and tools: geographical information system, Delphi methods and spatial decision support tools: namely multi-criteria evaluation analysis, analytical hierarchy process and ordered weighted average method. The developed model has the potential to calculate land use compatibility in both horizontal and vertical directions. Furthermore, the compatibility between the use of each floor in a building and its neighboring land uses can be evaluated. The method was tested in a built-up urban area located in Tehran, the capital city of Iran. The results show that the model is robust in clarifying different levels of physical compatibility between neighboring land uses. This paper describes the various steps and processes of developing the proposed land use compatibility evaluation model (CEM). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]