Analyzing the urban development of Isfahan districts in the housing sector using analytic network process (ANP)

Extended abstract1-IntroductionDevelopment is a multidimensional and complex process that involves making changes in social attitudes and national institutions as well as accelerating the economic growth, reducing inequalities and eradicating poverty. Housing is considered as an integral part of development in a society. With its large economic, social, cultural, environmental, and physical dimensions, this sector plays a pivotal role in presenting the characteristics and improving the appearance of the society in general. Identifying and assessing the housing condition in a country depends on the detection and analysis of the factors affecting housing, which can be considered as guidelines for the resource allocation in future planning and for promoting justice and sustainable development. Isfahan city, with a population of over one million people, is the third most populous city in the country and has fourteen districts. This research can help policymakers and planners alleviate the poverty, promote the social justice and formulate appropriate policies by looking into the indicators of the housing sector in the fourteen districts of Isfahan and their ranking using analytic network process. 2- Theoretical BasesHousing is an extremely complex and extensive issue with different spatial, architectural, physical, economic, social, financial, psychological and medical aspects. As such, in this study various definitions have been proposed that, for example, deal with housing as a physical location and as a shelter, considering it as one of the basic needs of the households. In addition to the physical location, the housing includes the entire residential environment, which has various dimensions and goes beyond the physical shelter. Housing is the first unit of society and the most important unit of human settlements that represents the smallest unit of the planning. Most governments, in response to the importance of housing, incorporate the housing planning in national, regional and urban planning. The analysis of the housing indicators is one of the techniques that can help identify effective procedures in the field of housing. The indicators of the housing sector are the key to housing planning. The scope, complexity and diversity of housing indicators and their role in housing planning necessitate the classification of these indicators based on their role and performance. Housing indicators not only describe the current state of the housing in different aspects, but also they can be used to rank different districts and provide a clear picture of the housi