Spatial suitability analysis for site selection of municipal solid waste landfill using hybrid GIS and MCDA approach: The case of Kitwe, Zambia

Municipal solid waste management (MSWM) is an issue of increasing concern at both the global and local levels as urban populations continue to rise with a corresponding increase in waste generation. MSWM, including dump-site/landfill site selection, are of serious socio-economic concerns with environmental and health implications in Zambia. Currently, operational MSW dump-sites in most urban centers in Zambia, including that of Kitwe City, were selected based on land availability and not on land suitability. In this work, we applied a hybrid GIS and multisectoral/multi-disciplinary approach to classify the city into areas that are most suitable, suitable and not suitable for hosting a landfill. We employed multi-disciplinary technical knowledge from local planners, public health, civil engineers and environmental experts, contrary to past practices. Input data used was obtained from a combination of environmental and socio-economic constraint and factor criteria. The results showed that 333.24 km2 representing 41.69% of the study area was classified as unsuitable, 140.41 km2 representing 17.57% of the study area was classified as suitable and 325.63 km2 representing 40.74% of the study area is classified as most suitable for a landfill. Further, out of 19 possible landfill sites identified as most suitable, 7 met the minimum of 0.54 km2 required for a landfill which can accommodate 8x106 m3 of solid waste projected to be generated in the next 20 years in Kitwe. The results further found that the current Ichimpe dumpsite falls in a zone classified as unsuitable. This study is of profound significance as it enhas contributed to the existing body of knowledge on the selection of scientifically and socially acceptable landfill sites in developing nations. We propose building human and infrastructural capacity and adopting hybrid GIS and MCDA approaches to promote environmental and socio-economic sustainability in landfill selection and operation which ultimately will contribute to meeting SDGs 3, 6 and 11 and the Africa Union's Agenda 2063.