@article{article_1712434, title={Land Use Suitability Analysis Using Geographic Information Systems and Multi-Criteria Decision Making Method: The Case of Kusadasi District}, journal={Journal of Science, Technology and Engineering Research}, volume={6}, pages={65–77}, DOI={10.53525/jster.1712434}, author={Konu Eskitoğlu, Ayşe}, keywords={Yerleşime uygunluk Analizi, Coğrafi bilgi Sistemleri, Kuşadası}, abstract={This research aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of spatial settlement suitability in Kuşadası district of Aydın province by utilizing the advanced analytical capabilities of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technologies. In the study, various geographical data sources in different scales and formats, high-resolution Digital Elevation Model (DEM), land cover, regional geological map, long-term climate data and current fault line inventories were integrated in ArcGIS 10.7 software environment and spatial analysis was performed. The methodology applied includes a detailed analysis of topographic parameters (slope and aspect) obtained from the Digital Elevation Model (DEM). These parameters are considered as the main factors affecting the physical suitability of settlements and are quantitatively classified in line with the settlement criteria in the literature. Land cover data in vector format was converted into a raster data model to assess the potential impacts of different land use types on settlements. The geological map was digitized to analyze the importance of the geological structure and soil properties of the region for settlement. In addition, potential hazard zones were spatially identified through buffer zone analysis applied to live fault lines to assess seismic risk. In order to examine the impact of climatic variables (average temperature and total precipitation) on settlement patterns, forecasts were made using height-dependent empirical models through virtual meteorological stations distributed in the area and continuous climate surfaces were created with Kriging interpolation technique. All these thematic layers were combined with the Weighted Overlay technique, one of the Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) methods. In this process, the relative importance of each factor on settlement suitability is expressed by weight coefficients determined in line with the literature review. The settlement suitability map produced as a result of the analysis provides a scientific basis for future settlement planning, natural resource management and sustainable urban development strategies by visually mapping the regions with different suitability levels in Kuşadası district.}, number={2}, publisher={Mehmet BULUT}