Suitability Analysis based on GIS and AHP for Urban Development Projects

Abstract

As urban areas grow, it is essential to recognize that natural areas on the city's periphery are becoming more vulnerable to disruption. Adopting an approach that balances protection and usage without harming the natural environment is essential to ensure that urban development projects are produced sustainably. This requires a thorough analysis of factors related to the planning area, which is best achieved through a suitability analysis. In this study, we used Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to conduct a suitability analysis for the "Bizim Şehir (Our City) Project" in Konya. We evaluated six factors: soil characteristics, geology, natural disasters, aspect, slope, and property status. Thematic maps were produced for each factor using GIS and then standardized. Next, we determined the percentages of the factors affecting the suitability analysis using the AHP method. Finally, we integrated the factors using the spatial analysis capability of GIS according to predetermined weight percentages to produce the suitability analysis. The results showed that 54.9% of the case area was suitable for development. This study proposes a method for designing sustainable living areas using suitability analysis.