Suitability location for landfill using a fuzzy-GIS model: A case study in Hillah, Iraq

Abstract

One of the most significant issues facing local governments and municipalities worldwide is choosing an appropriate location for landfills. In order to suggest appropriate places for waste sites, this study proposes a strategy using a fuzzy logic model and spatial analytic tools. The proposed approach utilized five parameters extracted from Geographic Information System (GIS) layers in Hillah city in Iraq, which include distances from hydrology features, residential or urban areas, transportation, and historical locations. These parameters were used as standards to construct a geodatabase for generating suitability maps. These indicators are relevant factors in determining the suitability of a site for an urban landfill. It is important to consider the distance from residential or urban areas when selecting a landfill site. A significant distance helps reduce the potential negative impacts on nearby communities, such as odors, noise, traffic, and health concerns associated with waste disposal, and for the other indicators. The fuzzy logic model is more accurate than conventional methods such as the weighted overlay approach. Based on a fuzzy logic model, the total surface area of acceptable locations is 1.1 km². According to the fuzzy logic model, some frequent adequate places were discovered to be beyond the city borders, to the west and south of the research region. To minimize the negative impacts on the environment and its residents, this study demonstrated how the fuzzy logic model and GIS might be combined for waste management decision concerns connected to landfill site selection.