Suitability Modeling for Site Selection
Multi-criteria suitability modeling in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a powerful analytical tool that combines spatial data from various sources to identify optimal locations meeting specific criteria. This approach transforms complex decision-making problems into visual, quantifiable solutions by assigning weights to factors to reflect their importance, combining multiple data layers, and generating suitability scores for different locations.
As part of a carbon-neutral research and development laboratory design project for a technology company, the objective was to find the optimal location in the State of Vermont by combining several critical factors. Multi-criteria analysis enabled the evaluation and weighting of different criteria to identify the most suitable areas.
The factors considered included proximity to urbanized areas to facilitate access to infrastructure and skilled workforce, distance from wind and solar energy production facilities to ensure sustainable energy supply, accessibility to major roads to optimize logistics and transportation, and topography to guarantee favorable construction conditions and minimize environmental impact.
Using ArcGIS Pro's weighted overlay and spatial analysis tools, each criterion was reclassified on a common scale, then combined by applying weights reflecting their relative importance. ModelBuilder automated the analysis process, ensuring reproducibility and transparency in the methodology. The Locate Regions tool then identified continuous areas with the highest suitability scores.
The final result provided clear mapping of priority zones for laboratory establishment, offering strategic decision support based on objective and measurable criteria. This approach illustrates how multi-criteria spatial modeling transforms complex geographic data into actionable information for sustainable and informed development decisions.
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