Identification of the most suitable sites for waste disposal by using SMCE in Guadalteba, Spain

Environmental assessments involve several alternatives and numerous stakeholders with different views and perceptions. In spatial dimension, one remedy that is suggested by researchers is to integrate the GIS technology with MCE, named as SMCE (Spatial Multi Criteria Evaluation). The aim of this study was to find the most suitable sites for waste disposal by considering different stakeholder’s vision through SMCE approach. Various environmental, ecological and socio-economical criteria’s must be considered to minimize the possible risk to people and the environment. Different maps (so-called criteria) were grouped, standardized and weighted in a criterion tree. By using expert knowledge, the relative importance of each criterion was identified and according to the view of different stakeholders four scenarios were formulated. Finally, maps derived from different scenarios were compared and evaluated. These maps facilitate the implication of spatial decisions through visually illustration of different scenarios to help decision makers in large-scale planning.

Keywords:

Spatial Multi Criteria Evaluation (SMCE) , Waste Disposal Site , Geographic Information system (GIS) , Site selection