Abstract
The selection of suitable landfill locations for municipal solid waste has become a top priority, especially in developed countries as a result of rapid population growth, unplanned urbanisation, increasing waste production and the limited area available. However, determining the location of landfill sites is a complex decision-making problem for municipalities and depends on social, environmental, technical and economic factors and regulations. In this study, we combined a geographic information system (GIS), multi-criteria decision-analysis techniques and fuzzy logic to determine the best location for landfill sites in Adana, Turkey, in four steps. Firstly, the threshold values and the coefficient weights of 15 criteria, grouped into environmental and socio-economic factors, were determined by a literature review and expert opinion to select suitable landfill locations. Secondly, selection criteria were standardised using fuzzy logic. Thirdly, we assessed the criteria weights based on their effectiveness on the selection of potential landfill sites using the Simos method. According to the weight coefficients, environmental factors are more important than socio-economic factors. Final maps for each criterion were calculated and overlaid by a GIS. As a result, the final suitability results were divided into four discrete categories: very high, high, moderate and low suitability areas, representing 1%, 76%, 17% and 6% of the location options, respectively. Finally, four different alternative areas were identified as being very highly suitable for landfill locations, which were evaluated in detail using a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analysis. Three key aspects affect the final decision of a landfill site, in decreasing order of importance: environmental protection, minimising the negative impact on urban life quality and economic issues. Consequently, these results can guide decision-makers (ministries, municipalities, planners, etc.) during the selection of suitable landfill sites in both national and international studies.
Highlights
Architects, planners and managers who identify the most suitable spatial decisions have widely used land use suitability to plan and manage the future of urban and rural environments (Collins et al, 2001; Demesouka et al, 2019; Malczewski, 2004)
The aim of this study was to define a methodology for landfill site selection based on the combination of a geographic information system (GIS), multi-criteria evaluation techniques and fuzzy logic to (i) systematically analyse the range of environmental and socio-economic factors that influence site selection, (ii) to determine alternative suitable landfill sites while optimising the land use in the area by avoiding wasting space and protecting the environment and urban health and (iii) guide decision-makers to select the most reliable, suitable and applicable landfill sites in the province of Adana, Turkey
28 studies over the last 10 years were examined and 16 criteria were separated into two main factors, environment and socio-economic, to enable suitable site selection
Summary
Architects, planners and managers who identify the most suitable spatial decisions have widely used land use suitability to plan and manage the future of urban and rural environments (Collins et al, 2001; Demesouka et al, 2019; Malczewski, 2004). Public authorities and private developers use suitability maps and analyses to set policies and make decisions to select the best land use alternatives, because decisions regarding land use planning can negatively impact sustainability, the environment and urban health due to rapid population growth, urbanisation and limited land space (Demesouka et al, 2019; Khan et al, 2018; Torabi-Kaveh et al, 2016). Municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill site selection requires careful planning. Given the serious threat of landfill sites becoming a source of soil, water and air contamination, landfill sites should be selected carefully.
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