Geospatial modeling for a sustainable urban development zoning map using AHP in Ismailia Governorate, Egypt

Abstract

The selection of an urban development site is one of the main political decisions implemented with government assistance. In the current study Multi-Criteria Decision Support System is being used (MCDSS) that incorporates the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) in geospatial models to develop alternative scenarios for urban development zones. We employed 12 factors and three themes; Economic, environmental, and social themes. Nevertheless, a MCDSS approach, the suitability criteria were weighed by (AHP). The weights of each factor were determined using Expert Choice (EC) software. The suitability map reveals that almost 31% of the study area is preferred for urbanization in the Economic scenario most of which are located in the zones alqintarasharq, Ismailia center, and El tel el kbeer center. For the Social scenario, 21.1% of the study area complies with the suitability criteria. Most of which spread sporadically the El tel el kbeer center and Ismailia center. While other of it found Unitingly in the north middle part of alqintarasharq region and scattered on the outskirts of that region. Finally, 9.3% of the land area is found suitable for the Environmental scenario most of which are located in the east of alqintarasharq region and the south of the El tel el kbeer center. The three scenarios were compared to the urban development plans proposed by the government for the region.