2023/10/02 by Gedefa, Basha, Fikadu, Gelana, Olika, Gamtesa
#Disposal site selection #Geospatial technique #Haramaya block #Urban solid waste
paper · doi:10.20372/afnr.v1i1.627
Solid waste management is a pressing issue in the world, particularly in developing countries like Ethiopia, due to rapid population growth, inadequate site selection, and ineffective management systems. This study aimed to locate suitable sites for urban solid waste management in Haramaya Block, Eastern Ethiopia, using geospatial techniques. Multiple criteria, including land use and land cover, built-up areas, slope, elevation, road network, lake, drainage, protected area, and soil texture, were considered. These criteria were integrated into a Geographic Information System (GIS) environment, and their weights were determined using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and pair-wise comparison matrix. Additionally, weighted overlay analysis in ArcGIS was employed to evaluate the suitability of different areas. The findings indicated that the study area comprised unsuitable, moderately suitable, suitable, and highly suitable zones, accounting for 20%, 57%, 19%, and 4% of the area, respectively. Majority of the area (57%) was classified as moderately suitable for waste disposal. Approximately 20% were deemed unsuitable, while 19% and 4% were identified as suitable and highly suitable, respectively. The potential dumpsite zones with high to very high suitability were mainly concentrated in the eastern, northeastern, and southwestern parts of Haramaya. These areas overlapped with moderately and highly suitable potential zones, influenced by factors such as land use, proximity to roads, built-up areas, lakes, and slopes (accounting for 32%, 20%, 16%, 11%, and 8%, respectively). Identifying these recommended suitability classes will contribute to the establishment of socially acceptable, economically viable, and ecologically sustainable dumpsites in the study area.