Geographic analysis of landfill suitability in Fez, Morocco: a multi-criteria approach

Solid waste management poses a significant challenge to sustainable development. Locating suitable landfill sites is a key difficulty. This study utilizes the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) with a Geographic Information System (GIS) to identify potential landfill locations in Fez province, Morocco. Nine criteria were evaluated for the study area's suitability, including distance from surface water, distance from buildings, distance from roads, distance from protected areas, distance from forests, distance from farmland, elevation, slope, and slope direction. AHP determined criteria weights, and the Consistency Ratio (CR) ensured judgment reliability. Results highlight proximity to residential areas as the most critical factor, followed by distance from surface water and roads. The suitability map indicates the south and southeast of the province as more suitable for landfill placement than the urban areas, parks, and gardens in the north and northwest. These findings aid decision-makers in improving solid waste management practices in Fez province, Morocco.