Evaluation of Location in Nomads Community with TOPSIS Model: A Case Study of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province of Iran

This study aimed at evaluating the new settlement centers in nomads areas in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province of Iran, using TOPSIS model. It was an applied research conducted in a descriptive and analytical method. Statistical Society included 1500 households with 306 samples in 22 new settlements of nomads community. The evaluation of new settlements was carried out using 31 indicators in 2016. The study results showed that six settlements had the high score (0.6-1), seven settlements had the moderate score (0.4-0.599) and nine settlements had the weak score (0-0.399); in addition, among the studied dimensions, economic and environmental dimensions indicated the worst condition while the best condition belonged to physical and social dimensions. Finally, it was concluded that the success in locating the new settlement centers and the sustainability of existing settlements required attention to all the economic, social, physical and environmental dimensions through an integrated sustainable development approach.