Title: Application of Multi Criteria Evaluation in GIS Environment for an Agricultural Development Scenario in the Egyptian Deserts
Abstract: The land use decisions and planning processes deal with large volumes of basic data where technical knowledge must be coordinated with the decision makers’ visions of society. This fact makes spatial planning quite a complicated process. This study addresses a regional scale zoning issue through cartographic modeling using Multi Criteria Evaluation in a geographic information environment through a case study. The main objectives of this research are to explore the model potential of providing an answer to the suitability of the desert lands in Egypt for an agricultural development strategy and to provide a decision support tool for land use planners. A geographic database was established at a national scale. Multiple Criteria Evaluation techniques were used in a geographic information system environment to produce the land suitability index for agriculture development. Lands with constraints were omitted from the study area. Factors needed for land cultivation were identified, ranked, weighted and overlaid in a cartographic model. The product of the model was a suitability index map which was further classified into zones according to the suitability index range of values. A five phase strategy was proposed based on the suitability classes. The resultant map can be used as guidelines providing a base for land reclamation and development. This methodology can be applied on other locations at regional planning levels, and can provide what-if scenarios based on the objectives and relative importance of the selected criteria sets.
Publication Year: 2009
Publication Date: 2009-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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