A multi-criteria GIS based methodology for smart cities site selection

Abstract

Building a Smart City (SC) is a practically irreversible decision that needs large investments. The success of a smart city in realizing its objectives of economic prosperity largely depends on its ability to reach its full potential; which in turn depends on its location. This research contributes a site selection method for SCs that satisfies the decision maker’s criteria. Through the analysis of relevant literature, the main criteria to be considered when locating a SC were identified. Interviews with subject matter experts enabled retaining the most relevant criteria to the Egyptian reality. Layers corresponding to these criteria were built in a Geographic Information System (GIS). The Intersect process was then applied to perform site selection and identify the region respecting the decision maker’s criteria. The developed GIS-Based Multi-Criteria Evaluation (MCE) methodology was tested on a study area that spans Alexandria, El Beheira and Matrouh governorates in Egypt. The prototype developed is a very beneficial instrument that enables facts based decision making as opposed to the current subjective practices used in selecting a SC location.