Site Suitability and Modeling

Abstract

Site selection means finding the location that meets a specific condition or criteria. In ArcGIS, you can use different techniques and tools to find the most suitable site for a particular purpose. One of the straightforward procedures that can be used in GIS is modeling. Modeling helps to generalize or simplify an environmental setting and its processes. For example, to find suitable land for a certain purpose such as irrigation or residential building, you have to apply criteria in your analysis to evaluate where the land is most suitable for that particular use. Understanding the main input functions of the suitability modeling guarantees a successful model. The most important elements of the model progression are the following:1.What is the problem that demands solving?2.Define a well-articulated criteria for the analysis3.Gather the necessary data to solve the problem4.Select the GIS tool needed for the model5.Create the model to diagram the activity flow