Determining the optimal locations for solid waste landfills in As-Suwayda using geographic information systems (GIS)

Abstract

This study aimed at using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as assistance technology to planning and choosing the best sites suitable for forming healthy landfills sites depending on a set of conditions and criteria. By using available data about the study area and depending on GIS technology, the needed criteria were derived and then changed into maps representing the most important economic, social, geological and geomorphological, environmental and climatic criteria after which they treated by using the aims of spatial and statistical analysis to be used as numeral information data. This helped to build a cartography model to locate the best suitable sites in the area of study in order to establish healthy landfills sites. In the light of the findings of the study, after applying different criteria in using GIS, the study recommended the best sites for landfills and so symbolizing them in suitable maps that number 1 and 2 and 3 are the most suitable sites and so the degree of suitability decreases gradually. Finally, the study recommended in pinpointing the role of GIS in the field of correct management of solid waste and urged the responsible to close random dumps and rehabilitating those following healthy and environmental bases in

planning landfills sites.