A GIS-FAHP Framework for Prioritizing Sustainable Urban Infrastructure: Evidence from Medan, Indonesia

Abstract

This study presents a GIS-FAHP integrated framework for prioritizing sustainable urban infrastructure, with empirical evidence from Medan City, Indonesia—a rapidly urbanizing area facing spatial inequality, congested road networks, and uneven distribution of public facilities. The framework combines GIS spatial analysis with FAHP-based multi-criteria weighting to enhance objectivity and manage uncertainty in infrastructure planning. The model integrates three key criteria—building density, road infrastructure, and public facilities—selected for their relevance to spatial accessibility and service provision. Expert-based pairwise comparisons, adjusted through fuzzification, reveal that building density exerts the strongest influence (60.4%), followed by road infrastructure (26.4%) and public facilities (13.2%). A GIS-based weighted overlay produces spatial suitability maps, categorizing Medan into five infrastructure development priority zones. Notably, only 4.26% of the city area is identified as highly suitable for infrastructure investment, while over 54% remains unsuitable due to accessibility constraints and infrastructure gaps. Spatial autocorrelation analysis using Moran's I confirms significant clustering patterns, validating the robustness of the model. This integrated GIS-FAHP approach contributes to the advancement of sustainability-focused urban planning by offering a replicable, scalable, and evidence-based tool for prioritizing infrastructure development. The findings support policy decisions aimed at reducing spatial disparities and promoting equitable, sustainable urban growth in Medan and comparable Southeast Asian cities.