Locating sports spaces in Talash city and suburbs using AHP in GIS environment

Dissertation for Master's Degree in Physical Education (M.A)

Sports Management Orientation

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to locate sports places in Talash using AHP in GIS environment. The statistical sample of this research includes all the sports venues of Talash city, both public and private, including 40 sports venues. Descriptive data was collected using documents, documents and field research and location data using GPS device and a database was formed in GIS environment. Then layers were prepared for each of the influencing factors in locating sports venues and weighting was done for each of the layers. After combining and analyzing all the layers together, the current location of sports places was evaluated and finally the most suitable places were suggested using the AHP and Boolean method. The results of this research showed that out of 40 sports places, 10 did not respect one, two or three boundaries (river, gas pipes and power transmission lines), which is equivalent to 25% of all sports places in Talash, and 30 places, equivalent to 75%, respected all three boundaries. In terms of the functional radius, few places had met the desired standards, and in terms of population density, the distribution of large sports places was inappropriate compared to small and medium places. The use of AHP and GIS in locating sports venues has a high efficiency and allows the evaluation of different locations and the selection of suitable locations according to the desired criteria. Keywords: GIS, AHP, location, sports spaces, effort rtl;">1-1: Introduction

Every year, many sports facilities are built in different parts of our country, and according to the investigations carried out by the organizations in charge, it has been determined that their location is based on traditional methods. It seems that in some of these constructions or giving permission for establishment, the important points of correct location have not been paid much attention, which may reduce the optimal efficiency of these spaces or create problems for the city and citizens. Due to the fact that the easy access of sports enthusiasts to sports spaces is one of the best ways to attract these people to participate in sports activities, so the authorities should facilitate this access, which requires the construction of sports spaces in all parts of the city, based on the functional radius determined according to the standards. Urban equipment is one of the important and vital service centers in cities, which plays an important role in ensuring the safety and comfort of citizens and the economic development of cities. It is obvious that the establishment of any urban element in a specific physical-spatial position of the city is subject to its own principles and rules, which, if followed, will lead to the success and functional efficiency of that element in the same place. Otherwise, it may cause problems. The establishment of many urban and mainly for-profit elements is subject to economic mechanisms and free competition, but public and usually non-profit urban elements cannot be completely left to the economic mechanisms of the market, rather it is necessary to adhere to decisions and policies based on public interests to compensate for market inefficiencies, which include sports venues (Jalali Farahani, 2013). It can have a direct effect on the desired pattern and functional efficiency of the city, on the other hand, the diversity and proper and complete distribution of sports use increases the choice and power of choosing and using sports spaces, and as a result, the desirability of living in the city increases. The main task of urban planners and decision-makers is to determine the optimal location of sports centers so that all urban residents can easily access them (Taji, 1389).This action has been carried out in such a way that the urban spaces and required infrastructures have not been equipped accordingly. The main effect of the accelerated growth of cities is spatial confusion and disorderly growth, unfair distribution of uses, especially sports use, inequality of per capita and inappropriate and unstudied location and collapse of the service distribution system, which is seen in some way in all cities of Iran, especially the city of Talash.

The city of Talash, as one of the cities of Gilan province, is also increasing due to factors such as rural-urban migrations. The natural growth of the population, etc., has witnessed the excessive growth of the population and as a result unplanned growth in some areas and urban areas. Therefore, suitable places have not been taken into account in terms of optimal spatial distribution and fair location for users of public services, especially sports services to which quick, timely and convenient access is important.

According to the statistics of the Development and Maintenance of Sports Venues Company (2013), there are a total of 40 existing and under construction sports venues in the city of Talash (20 state-owned and 20 owned by the private sector). The question that arises is, to what extent the location of these sports facilities has been done according to the principles and standards? Is the location of these sports facilities chosen based on the distribution of the city's population and the access of the majority of the city's citizens to these places, or is the location chosen for the construction of these places based on the economic interests of some people, organizations and organizations? Another question that arises is, to what extent has the practical radius of water, electricity, gas, etc. been considered in choosing these places? Therefore, this research will seek to answer the above questions by using geographic information system. Also, another question that the current research seeks to answer is whether it is possible to identify and suggest the most suitable places for the construction of sports facilities in Talash city in the future using the Analytical Hierarchy Method (AHP) in the GIS environment? Therefore, suitable places in terms of optimal spatial distribution and fair location selection for sports use and the provision of sports services that have quick, timely and convenient access should be included in the agenda of the relevant authorities. Therefore, the main task of urban planners and decision makers is to determine the optimal location of sports centers and per capita sports in the city so that all city residents can easily access them. In addition, it can be said that the planners try to optimize the distribution of sports places in urban environments and this distribution is suitable for the distribution of the population or the amount of demand in different places. It seems that using this system is an effective way to choose sports places. Therefore, sports managers and those in charge of building sports venues have been advised to use this system to choose the best place to build sports venues in order to avoid the dangers and defects that may arise using traditional methods (Taji, 2019). Therefore, conducting research in the field of geographic information systems on sports venues can help those who establish sports venues to choose suitable locations for the construction of sports venues and the problems of places and spaces reveal the constructed sports (Taji, 2009).

Therefore, one of the necessities of the present research is to identify the most suitable place for the construction of sports facilities in the city of Talash and in this field, it will provide suggestions to the sports practitioners of the city of Talash. Due to the fact that in identifying the most suitable place for the construction of sports facilities, various indicators such as practical radius, neighborhood, slope of the land, etc. will be used, so the existing gaps in the field of sports services coverage of the places of this city will be identified and the decision-making ground of managers and stakeholders for the construction of sports facilities and the provision of sports services to the citizens of that area and urban area will be facilitated.