The Select the best locations for storage and distribution centers of cement and iron, in line with the stage of reconstruction in the Greater Damascus Region

Abstract

In light of the reconstruction phase in Syria, a scientific research was conducted to determine the appropriate locations for cement and iron storage and distribution centers in the Greater Damascus region, and to determine their numbers and degree of importance, where the storage and distribution processes are considered as important logistics activities within the supply chain of the construction materials.

The research tools are determined based on international studies and standards, but in accordance with the spatial specificity of the study area, in order to create a logical conceptual model developed in the form of a physical model, through developing research questionnaires and analyze the importance factor matrices questionnaires, in order to know the degree of importance of each of the study criteria and its weight. In addition to conducting spatial analysis using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software.

The contribution of this research is in determining the number and locations of the proposed new cement and iron storage and distribution centers, as there are currently 27 in service centers are related to Omran corporation, and research results lead to a proposal to establish 21 new centers with the determination of the degree of importance and priority of these centers (they are classified into four groups in terms of importance and priority).

And after applying the study specific conditions and criteria that are adopted in the developed research methodology. We find that twelve proposed centers are ranked the first in importance, one of these centers is located west of the city of Damascus (Moadamieh), while four other centers are located in the eastern countryside of the capital, and six other centers are in the southern countryside (one of them is on Daraa road and other on the road to Al-Suwayda). Beside one center on the road to Al-Saboura Al-Zabadani. Five proposed storage and distribution centers are ranked second in importance, one center in the north of the capital, three centers in the northwest, and one center in the southwest towards Quneitra. Two suggested centers are ranked third in importance, one in the far east of the Rif Governorate and the other in the northeast towards Al Qariateen. And two proposed centers are ranked fourth in importance, one on the road to Khneifis and the other on the road to Sadad.