Suitability Analysis based on GIS and AHP for Urban Development Project

Abstract

As urban areas grow, natural areas around the city become more vulnerable to degradation. Therefore, adopting an approach that balances protection and usage without harming the natural environment is essential to ensure that urban development projects are produced sustainably. For this reason, it is crucial that the suitability analysis, in which the factors related to the planning area are systematically evaluated and integrated, is decisive in determining the urban development areas. In this study, suitability analysis based on Geographic Information System (GIS) and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was produced for the "Bizim Şehir Project" in Konya. Within the scope of the suitability analysis, six factors were evaluated: soil characteristics, geological conditions, natural disasters, aspect analysis, slope analysis, and property analysis. First, thematic maps were produced and standardized for each factor using GIS. Then, using the AHP method, the percentages of factors affecting the suitability analysis were determined. Finally, by using the spatial analysis capability of GIS, the factors were integrated according to the determined percentage weights and the suitability analysis was produced. 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.