Geospatial and multi-criteria decision analysis for sustainable solid waste disposal site selection in Debre Tabor, Ethiopia

Rapid urbanization and population growth in Debre Tabor, Ethiopia, have intensified solid waste management challenges, leading to environmental and health risks due to improper disposal practices. This study utilizes Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Remote Sensing (RS), and the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to identify suitable landfill sites in the region. ArcGIS 10.8 and ERDAS Imagine 2015 were used for spatial analysis and land-use classification, respectively. Seven key criteria were considered: proximity to roads, water bodies, and residential areas, land-use/land-cover, soil type, lithology, and slope. AHP was employed to determine criteria weights, and a Weighted Linear Combination (WLC) method integrated these factors into a suitability map. The results indicate that 6.8% (294.4 ha) of the study area is highly suitable, 15.7% (675.3 ha) is moderately suitable, 14.2% (610.1 ha) is suitable, and 63.3% (2720.2 ha) is unsuitable for landfill development. Highly suitable areas were found to be strategically distanced from environmentally sensitive and urban zones, featuring stable geological conditions and accessible road networks. The study highlights the effectiveness of GIS and AHP integration in sustainable landfill site selection and urban waste management planning. However, field validation gaps were observed due to logistical constraints, indicating the need for further on-site assessment to strengthen model reliability. The proposed methodology provides a replicable framework for other urban centers facing similar waste disposal challenges while addressing environmental, social, and economic concerns.