Abstract

BUENROSTRO DELGADO, Otoniel; MENDOZA, Manuel  and  LOPEZ GRANADOS, Erna. Comparative analysis of three spatial decision approaches for the selection of intermunicipal land filling sites in the basin of Cuitzeo, Mexico. Invest. Geog [online]. 2005, n.57, pp.21-38. ISSN 2448-7279.

This paper analyzes three spatial decision support system models that make use of geographic information systems (GIS). Different thematic maps were analyzed and a data matrix was made that combines the biophysical and socioeconomic criteria for the selection of landfill sites and socioeconomic variables. The study was made in the basin of lake Cuitzeo, in Mexico. The resulting spatial decision support system models aided in recognizing the distribution of potential areas for the localization of landfill sites in the study area; 21 of the 26 municipalities included in the basin have areas that classify as highly suitable. The highly suitable potential areas resulting from the three models used varied between 1.5 and 5% of the surface of the basin. The larger and more important areas are located in the central zone of the basin and may be shared by five of the most densely populated municipalities. The three analytical tools tested differ in their complexity and restrictiveness in the selection of sites. The Boolean logic model is easier to apply and more restrictive than the other two because it is based on the assessment of single attributes, i.e., conditions that are either satisfied or not. In contrast, the application of the binary data and overlapping index methods is complicated because these models require of hierarchical analyses, but they allow for giving different weight to each attribute. The approaches adopted here constitute a low cost alternative for supporting spatial decision-making processes aimed at the selection of appropriate sites for the operation of sanitary landfills in developing countries.

Keywords : Sanitary landfill; intermunicipal; spatial decisions support system; remote sensing; geographic information system.

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