Integrating GIS and AHP for Optimal Landfill Site Selection: A Case Study of Alwar City, India

Abstract

Municipal solid waste management (MSWM) has become a significant global and local concern. Landfill site selection is a critical component of MSWM. In various urban areas in India, including Alwar City, current dump sites were selected based on land availability rather than land suitability. This study employed Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to classify cities into zones categorized as most suitable, suitable, moderately suitable, less suitable, and unsuitable for landfill sites. The findings revealed that 33,915 hectares, constituting 88.92% of the area, were classified as unsuitable, while 3,962 hectares (20.37 %) were considered suitable overall. Only 1,257 hectares, representing 3.2% of the total area, were the most suitable for landfill sites. A total of 121 potential sites were identified; however, only 10 met the minimum size criterion of 20 hectares and aligned with the Alwar City Master Plan 2051. The study also revealed that the existing landfill is located in an area that falls into a moderately suitable category. This study also contributes to the existing literature on choosing landfill sites that are both scientifically and socially acceptable in developing nations. This study combines MCDA, AHP, and GIS techniques to improve the environmental and socioeconomic sustainability of landfill site selection and management, thereby supporting the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3, 6, and 11.