Site suitability analysis for industrial development using geospatial technology and multi criteria decision making

Abstract

In the process of developing industries to eradicate poverty, developing countries continue to invest more in their land use system, as this may provide a safeguard to food security through a healthy ecosystem and have a positive impact on sustainability. The Geographic Information System (GIS) has created an unprecedented world of possibilities for processing data from remote sensing and other sources. Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM), in conjunction with geospatial technology, provides a tool for industrial area mapping and management. The current research was conducted in three blocks of the Baleshwar district in northern Odisha, India. Analysis of a location's physical, social, and economic factors to see if it is good for a certain use, like an industrial setup, urban planning, or recreational use, is becoming more and more important in today's world so that important decisions can be made within a short period. Due to the fact that the present research location is located in close proximity to both hilly terrain and a coastal plan, the site's appropriateness may be improved by employing a variety of factors to design an industrial setup that is economically viable. The goal of the study is to apply land suitability analysis (LSA) to identify existing land use in areas with industrial growth potential so that agricultural and industrial development may focus on long‐term sustainability. According to this study, 16.6% (201.79 km2) of the area is highly suitable, 48.2% (586.96 km2) is moderately suitable, 15.5% (188.40 km2) is less suitable, and 19.71% (239.73 km2) is not suitable at all. Due to the abundance of raw materials, improved communication, and proximity to the shore, the Baleswar block has the largest percentage of highly suitable areas when compared to the Remuna and Nilgiri blocks of the research area.