Module 6 - Suitability Analysis / Least Cost Path

 


In the first part of this week’s GIS assignment, I performed a land suitability analysis using a weighted overlay method to evaluate potential areas for development based on a combination of environmental and infrastructure-related criteria. The goal was to classify land into five suitability categories, from 1 (least suited) to 5 (most suited), using raster data and weights assigned to different input layers.

The analysis involved two main scenarios. In the first scenario, I applied equal weights to each factor: land cover, soil type, slope, distance to streams, and distance to roads. This provided a baseline for comparison. In the second scenario, I applied alternative weights, assigning a higher importance to slope (40%) and reduced weights to the other factors. This alternative approach reflected a scenario where terrain steepness plays a more critical role in site selection.

The final results were visualized in a side-by-side map layout, with consistent symbology and classification across both scenarios. This allowed for a clear comparison of how changing the weight values impacts the spatial distribution of suitability. While the equal weight scenario showed a more balanced spread of suitability classes, the alternative scenario highlighted a stronger influence of slope, shifting highly suitable areas to flatter regions.

The map layout included all required cartographic elements such as title, legend, scale bar, and north arrow, ensuring clarity and visual communication of the results. This exercise demonstrated the power of spatial analysis in supporting land-use decision-making and the importance of carefully considering input weights in multi-criteria evaluations.


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