Urban geology of Tabriz City: Environmental and geological constraints

Abstract

Urban geology is the study of urban geologic environments to provide a scientific basis for rational land use planning and urban development and provides information on geologic environments as a basis for city planners. Based on AEG recommendations, urban geological studies covered the urbanism and historical backgrounds, geological setting, engineering geological constraints and environmental assessments of understudied cities. The aim of this study is to provide a good view of urban geology of Tabriz city the capital of East Azerbaijan province in Iran. The topics of discussions about Tabriz city urban geology are included geologic (geomorphology, geology, climatology and hydrogeology), engineering geological (earthquake, landslide and geotechnical hazards investigations) and environmental characteristics (air, soil and water hazards assessment).The results of the urban geologic studies indicated that Tabriz city in terms of engineering geological and environmental constraints is at high risk potential and in terms of seismic activity and landslide instability is highly potential. In terms of air, soil and water pollution there are many important environmental concern in this city.