Site Suitability Analysis for Future Urban Development Using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) Model: A Case Study in Hisar City, Haryana (India)

This study focuses on site suitability analysis for urban development in Hisar City, India, using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) model. It aims to identify the most suitable sites for future urban development based on various criteria, such as land use/land cover parameters, proximity to road networks, soil salinity, and the depth and quality of ground water. The LISS-IV satellite image from October 17, 2022, was used to create a land use/land cover map for future urban development in Hisar City and its fringe area. A total of 50 samples (25 from water and 25 from soil) were collected within Municipal Corparation (MC) boundary and fringe area of the Hisar City. These samples were tested in a laboratory located at the CCS Haryana Agricultural University (HAU) in Hisar, India. The study emphasizes the importance of using a data-driven approach for urban development planning and highlights the AHP model as a valuable tool for analyzing site suitability. It identifies different categories of land based on their potential for future development in which 773.53 hectares (1.35 %) of land is found highly suitable, 13818.94 hectares (24.07 %) is moderately suitable, and 38274.74 hectares (66.68 %) is low suitable. Additionally, 4377.78 hectares (7.63 %) of land is not suitable, and 159.01 hectares (0.28 %) remain unclassified. The study suggests that by using such tools, urban planners and administrators can create more sustainable and fair urban environments that meet local population needs while reducing negative impacts.