A GIS-Based Multi-Criteria Evaluation Approach Location Suitability Modeling for Solid Waste Disposal: Dire Dawa City, East Hararghe, Ethiopia

Abstract

Solid waste management is a severe challenge in developing countries like Ethiopia due to the growing mixture of waste characteristics and deficiency of operational application of dependable waste policies and technologies. This study aimed at modeling the appropriate solid waste disposal sites based on the methodological framework of the geographical information system, remote sensing, and multi-criteria evaluation approach. Ten factors were used to model a suitable site for solid waste disposal. The Analytical Hierarchy Process pair-wise comparison module was implemented to derive weights for the criteria. Then, the relationship of all the input factors together was established to identify the required locations that meet the aims of the model. Consequently, six landfill sites were generated. The candidate sites were restricted, unsuitable, very low, moderately, highly and very highly suitable with 8.1, 13.9, 32.9, 28.1, 16.5, and 0.5 percent of the total area, respectively. Finally, three landfill locations with the least adverse effect on the economic, environment as well as communal health were recognized as optimum solid waste disposal sites. Therefore, under the rapid urbanization rate in Ethiopia, this study contributes to the management of solid wastes in Ethiopia and other regions with a similar environmental setting.