Abstract

Urban sprawl is an urban growth patterns regardless of the consequences and economic, social and environmental effects. This exterior growth of the city belongs to the type of urban development that in critics view causes the loss of agricultural land, destruction of open and green spaces, energy waste and changes of land use. There are several methods for detecting changes in a region by using satellite imagery; each one having both advantages and limitations. Fuzzy ARTMAP method of compliance is one of these methods. The main purpose of this article is describing land use change detection in Urmia city over a period of 27 years. For this purpose TM sensor of Landsat satellite in the period of 1984-2011was selected. After referencing images by using Fuzzy ARTMAP classification method (Cross Tab) land use changes and how the sprawl city were classified and urban sprawl was predicted for the year 1400 by using Markov chains and a combination of cellular automate. The results show that 17188.56 acres of land has been changed during this period in Urmia and most of land use changes have occurred on irrigated agricultural lands. 7672.41 acres of irrigated agricultural land has been declined. The study show that in the year 1400 approximately 2408.55 acres will add to built-in land; which may cause change in land use in Urmia city and instability in the optimal distribution of services and access for city residents. Keywords: Urban sprawl; Land use change; Satellite imagery; Fuzzy ARTMAP method; Markov chains and Cellular Automate; Urmia.