A GIS-based multi-criteria evaluation for MSW landfill site selection in Antalya, Burdur, Isparta planning zone in Turkey

Defining the suitable positions for landfill sites on a regional scale is a decision-making procedure based on a number of criteria. In this study, geographic information system analysis and multi criteria decision making method have been utilised to search for spatial suitability of landfill sites by considering legislative, technical, social and environmental criteria. Fourteen exclusion criteria have been determined and the sites which are not eligible for being landfills have been deducted. Analytical hierarchy process has been used to determine the weights of three main and sixteen provisional evaluation criteria affecting the choice of landfill sites. Weighted linear combination method has been utilised to evaluate all the criteria with combination process. Also landfill suitability map has been created in the study area’s high and low potential. The results indicate that 4.03% of study area is moderately suitable, 3.75% is highly suitable for landfill sites. Only 58% of existing landfill sites embedded in the Antalya–Burdur–Isparta Environmental Plan, coincide with the appropriate areas identified in this study. These findings indicate that planning decisions have been taken regardless of hydrological, geological and land use conditions. This study will propose a systematic protocol for decision makers to identify and assess the hotspots which are suitable for landfill sites in the anticipated planning region.