Geographical Research

Green spaces، especially urban gardens have been a subject of study in many countries for a long time، but the subject has been mostly overlooked in Iran. Therefore، this study tries to analyze the changes in land use and how we can protect green spaces (gardens) in Jahrom in line with sustainable development in 1996-2006. The data in this study were collected through local investigations and field studies in Jahrom County، questionnaires، collecting data and statistics، and we have also used Arc GIS software for data analysis. The study results show that in 1996-2006، due to extension in the urban area،  580.36 hectares were added to total green spaces and 190.8 hectares of garden lands have suffered changes in land use. Changing to barren land (46.2%) and housing land (35.44%) were the main changes in land use. Furthermore،  70.6 percent of garden owners consider economic motivations (value added of housing and housing land) as the main reason of change in land use. Lack of irrigation water and entering the urban area were also among the reasons of changing land use. To test the differences between price of garden land before and after change in land use، we carried out a T-test by SPSS، which revealed that the price of garden lands has increased 2.1 times after change in land use. The original price of garden land was 47% of land price after change in land use. Therefore، we propose supplying irrigation water needed for gardens، and making use of barren lands within the urban area for housing and other related needs so that we can protect and maintain urban gardens in line with sustainable development.