Determining the suitability trends for settlement based on multi criteria in Kirkuk, Iraq

Abstract

Background: Swift population growth and unplanned settlement led to the phenomenon of informal urban in Iraqi cities because of warfare, political instability and economic blockage for more than three decades. Economic status and political migration to sensitive areas were mainly due to weak management of local government organizations. The complexity process in the growth trend for settlements does not involve any modern factors requirements such as topography, soil bearing capacity and other environmental factors issues that may result in a determination of settlement zone trends. Today, after the disaster, it has become necessary to determine the suitability trend for the new settlement area to determine which areas are compatible for the settlement area purpose. Methods: This study focused on using multi factors data integrated with GIS and expert choice to employ and drive the weights associated with suitability determination of settlement trends. Results: These tools would help to generate a synergistic effect to contribute efficiently in suitability, select trends and examine the concept of land suitability evaluation and its implementation possibility for settlements based on the bearing capacity of the soil and other multi factors. Conclusions: The results of this study have shown that the social aspects represented as security, have a strong role in reshaping the city beside the spatial aspects, which could interest urban planners and decision makers.