Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to Determine the Optimal Site for a Landfill in Al-Nasr and Al-Salam Subdistrict

Abstract

This study addresses the selection of the optimal site for establishing a waste landfill within the study area by utilizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) techniques integrated with the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) methodology and the Weighted Overlay tool for multi-criteria spatial analysis. Six key criteria influencing site suitability were identified, including distance from urban areas, agricultural lands, irrigation canals, roads, villages, and barren (uncultivated and uninhabited) areas, with a focus on potential environmental and health impacts.

The results indicate that ideal landfill sites are located at distances exceeding 800 to 1000 meters from agricultural and urban areas, providing effective protection to soil and groundwater while reducing air pollution and health risks. The analysis also highlights that proximity to barren areas constitutes a positive environmental factor enhancing site suitability due to minimal human and agricultural activities, thereby mitigating negative environmental impacts.A pairwise comparison matrix based on Saaty’s scale was constructed within the AHP framework, revealing that distance from urban areas carries the greatest weight (34.1%), followed by distance from barren areas (25.2%) and agricultural lands (17.6%), whereas criteria related to roads, irrigation canals, and villages held lower weights.

Spatial overlay of weighted layers produced a final suitability map classifying sites into three categories: highly suitable, conditionally suitable, and unsuitable. Highly suitable areas were predominantly concentrated in barren regions adjacent to road networks, facilitating landfill operations while minimizing environmental impacts. The study underscores the importance of integrating environmental, social, and technical criteria in a data-driven decision-making process for selecting landfill sites that balance environmental protection with operational efficiency. It also recommends implementing advanced environmental protection systems in moderately suitable sites to mitigate potential risks and conducting continuous field assessments to ensure environmental sustainability.