GIS-Based Approach to Determine Suitable Settlement Areas Compatible with the Natural Environment

Abstract

This study determined the settlement areas that were suitable for the natural environment in the Seydikemer District in Turkey. Within this context, databases related to the natural environment of the region and existing land uses were created using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle images that were digitized and analysed using geographic information systems. Land cover was classified using Random Forest and Maximum Likelihood Classification methods for remote sensing. The natural environmental properties of the study area were determined based on the resulting classification, and the criteria for the suitability of the settlement areas were defined by the Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis and Analytic Hierarchy Process. Accordingly, eight main criteria and their classes of suitability were analysed and evaluated. Assessment of the natural suitable structure of the area was conducted using weighted overlay analysis. Sixteen percent of the survey area was suitable, while 69.01% was moderately suitable and 14.97% was not suitable for use as a settlement area. Considering that this region is in the process of rapid urbanization, The findings of the study are expected to make a significant contribution to the future settlement and land-use plans of the city.