Assessing environmental and economic indicators of sustainable development in mining-extractive cities (A case study of Asaluyeh, Iran)

Among various types of cities, mining cities have special features including a high concentration of industrial activities associated with the exploration, extraction, refining, processing and export of groundwater resources, the risk of reduction and termination of non-renewable resources, high degree of environmental pollution, high production of domestic and industrial waste and social issues related to job migration and cultural duality which can create or exacerbate unsustainability matter on environmental, economic, socio-cultural and physical scales in urban environment of such cities. The aim of this study was to analyze and evaluate the environmental and economic dimensions of sustainable urban development in Asalouyeh situated in southern Iran, northern coast of Persian Gulf and in terms of methodology, this research employs a descriptive- analytical approach. Information required was collected through reviewing documents, fieldworks and questionnaire and were analyzed applying SPSS and Likert scale to value indicators. The results of data analysis using T-test, Wilcoxon and Friedman test, implied that the mining activity in the coastal town of Asaluyeh not only did not contribute to the stability of this city but it also led to greater instability. In the environmental sustainability component, pollution control component, as one the most important parameters in the presence or absence of the issue of sustainability in Asaluyeh, had the lowest rank and priority (1.05) between components of this dimension. Also, on the economic stability dimension, activity and employment components (2.03) and investment (1.41) are not in good condition.