Developing a GIS-based MCE site selection tool in arcGIS using COM technology

Site selection is a complex process for owners and analysts. This process involves not only technical requirements, but also economical, social, environmental and political demands that may result in conflicting objectives. Site selection is the process of finding locations that meet desired conditions set by the selection criteria. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Multi Criteria Evaluation techniques (MCE) are the two common tools employed to solve these problems. However, each suffers from serious shortcomings and could not be used alone to reach an optimum solution. This poses the challenge of integrating these tools. Developing and using GIS-based MCE tools for site selection is a complex process that needs well trained GIS developers and analysts who are not often available in most organizations. In this paper, a GIS-based multicriteria evaluation site selection tool is developed in ArcGIS 9.3 using COM technology to achieve software interoperability. This tool can be used by engineers and planners with different levels of GIS and MCE knowledge to solve site selection problems. A typical case study is presented to demonstrate the application of the proposed tool. In addition, the paper presents a comprehensive discussion of the site selection process and characteristics.