An integrated AHP-GIS technique for landfill siting: A case study in Malaysia

This paper presents the integration of a geographical information system (GIS) and analytichierarchy process (AHP), which is part of multi criteria evaluation, and its application on siting sanitary landfill. The proposed method was applied to a typical landfill site located south of Seberang Perai, Penang, Malaysia. Based on the study area condition, six criteria, namely, soil suitability, landfill drainage system, proximity to access roads, proximity to forests, proximity to electrical power lines, and proximity to rivers, were examined. The AHP was used to perform spatial analysis by using criteria weights, and processing and visualization was carried out by the GIS overlay suitability map. The utilization of GIS for sanitary landfill selection with a combination of APH minimized the problems associated with conventional landfill technologies as well as saved time.