GIS based land suitability analysis using AHP model for urban services planning in Srinagar and Jammu urban centers of J&K, India

Rapid urbanization and consequent haphazard growth of cities result in deterioration of infrastructure facilities, loss of agricultural land, water bodies, open spaces, and many micro-climatic changes. This unprecedented growth in city population put pressure on urban amenities and led to their uneven distribution. The Srinagar and Jammu cities witnessed alarming population growth rates in the last thirty years, thus resulted in various problems like pollution, traffic jam, leap-frog development, uneven provision of urban amenities etc. The present study attempted to find out the urban land suitability for the provision of urban amenities. Land use suitability assessment is a key determinant in any urban and suburban planning and decision-making process. The suitability assessment is carried out through AHP model using a set of criteria involving geo-physical and socioeconomic variables. The variables taken for the study are slope, altitude, land use/land cover and existing amenity status. The unit of study is a municipal ward. For better urban planning and suitable decision making, the study provided the information not only on the existing urban land use pattern and existing amenity status but also on suitability of land for the establishment of urban amenities in future.