Land Use Decisions and Site Selection: a GIS-based Method

Abstract

A geographic information system is configured with a graphical userinterface to enable the integration of expert analysis with publicperceptions of information in a scenario based decision framework. Thesystem, ASSESS - A System for SElecting Suitable Sites, requires clearproblem definition to establish decision variables (criteria) which areaddressed by: thematic data selection, interpretation of themeattributes to assign rating values; and arithmetic combination togenerate scenarios.GIS functionality is used to capture data, establish spatial alignmentbetween themes and to rasterise all vector data. Theme based attributetables are reviewed by experts to define initial sets of suitabilityratings. System users then select themes and adjust ratings to representtheir own knowledge and/or attitude assessments as decision scenarios.The system objective is to apply a selection sieve to identify areaswith a high likelihood of satisfying site suitability and land usedecision needs, in contrast to a quantitative analysis with its aim ofan optimised outcome.The system is East, scalable from whole continents to small regions andprovides a transparent, defensible and versatile decision supportenvironment. The method's application is outlined for site selection forradioactive waste disposal.