Comparative Analysis of land use and urban growth modeling using geomatics technology (city of Najaf-Iraq)

Abstract

The assessment of changes in land use and land cover in the city of Najaf is important because of changes in government structures, wars, the economic blockade over the past decades, migration and increased population growth at the present time and the historical and religious importance it possesses, where this study aims to simulate the spatial temporal changes of the city of Najaf by applying the Land Change Modeler (LCM) model IDRISI program, For the time period (1986-2016). The results indicated a change in the use of land by increasing the area of residential use and services and the expansion of the city to the north and northwest, with a small increase in agricultural land at the expense of vacant land. The model also outlines future land uses for the year 2036, Knowing the direction of future growth helps decision-makers to amend and develop new plans to achieve sustainable urban development and protect historical sites.