Land Suitability Analysis for Identifying Industrial Zones in Duhok District, Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Abstract

This process of industrial zones site selection requires to fulfill requirements and standards, simultaneously reducing environmental and public health costs and maximizing technical and economic benefits. A geographic information system was used in this study to evaluate land suitability to propose suitable sites for industrial zones in Duhok district, Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The defined parameters were classified into two groups, specifically, environmental and socioeconomic criteria. The information layers were prepared and were standardized into Boolean logic. The parameters maps were combined using the Boolean logic technique, and the suitability map was achieved on two classes including unsuitable and suitable. The results showed that only about 10% (104 Km2) of the study area was evaluated as suitable areas for industrial zones, which are mainly found in the north, northwest, and central parts of the study area. The results also illustrated that most of the industries within the study area have been located in inappropriate sites which have had a severe impact on the air quality of Duhok city. This paper would present a solution for industrial site selection in Duhok and it is helpful for regional planning of the country.