Thirteenth International Conference on Climate Change: Impacts & Responses

Abstract

We live in a century in which rapid and widespread global developments are taking place. The impacts of human activity on the earth have caused changes in land surface, water resources, air, and ecosystems. One of the most destructive changes in major cities in recent years is the destruction of the suburban environment to meet the needs of the urban community and the development of new residential and industrial communities because of the economic attraction and access to welfare, health, and educational facilities in the suburb. Mashhad, as a metropolis and the second largest city in Iran, suffers from this problem. With the increase in population in recent years, the suburb of Mashhad has witnessed environmental degradation and environmental pollution that is increasingly deteriorating. In this regard, the primary purpose of this study is the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of Mashhad suburb and to provide solutions to protect and improve their environmental conditions. The environmental conditions of suburb were assessed by using a SWOT analysis model in dimensions including natural resources, habitats and protected areas, rural environments and quality of life, risks and health. The analysis results were utilized to provide conservation strategies. The results of this study showed that population growth in large cities and their suburb leads to the expansion of environmentally destructive activities that need EIA during specific periods as well as providing appropriate policies and strategies to protect and improve their environment.