Integrated Fuzzy-GIS Approach for Optimal Landfill Site Selection in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, Supporting Sustainable Development Goals

Eltayeb H. Onsa Elsadig (), Isam Mohammed Abdel-Magid, Abderrahim Lakhouit (), Ghassan M. T. Abdalla and Ahmed Hassan A. Yaseen
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Eltayeb H. Onsa Elsadig: Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia
Isam Mohammed Abdel-Magid: College of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, Elrazi University, Khartoum 11111, Sudan
Abderrahim Lakhouit: Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia
Ghassan M. T. Abdalla: Electrical Engineering Department, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia
Ahmed Hassan A. Yaseen: Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 17, 1-30

Abstract: The rapid urban growth in Saudi Arabia has intensified challenges in sustainable solid waste management, particularly in selecting suitable landfill sites that minimize environmental risks and protect public health. Tabuk Province, located in the northwest of the Kingdom, represents a region where arid climatic conditions, fragile ecosystems, and increasing urbanization make landfill sitting highly complex. Traditional decision-making approaches often struggle to capture uncertainties in expert opinions and spatial data, leading to less reliable outcomes. While Geographic Information Systems and Multicriteria Decision-Making have been applied to this field, the explicit integration of fuzzy logic remains limited, especially in arid regions. This study addresses this gap by combining the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process with Geographic Information Systems to establish a more robust framework for landfill site selection in Tabuk. Seven critical criteria were considered, including distance from major roads, airports, urban centers, coastlines, wetlands, and protected areas, with expert assessments analyzed through fuzzy reasoning to improve decision reliability. The results generated a spatial suitability map highlighting priority zones for landfill development, particularly in the western and southwestern areas of the province, where environmental sensitivity is lower and accessibility to infrastructure is greater. The findings emphasize that proximity to urban areas and road networks are dominant factors influencing suitability. The novelty of this study lies in its methodological integration, which enhances transparency, adaptability, and objectivity in landfill sitting. By promoting environmentally responsible waste management, the framework directly supports the Sustainable Development Goal of Good Health and Well-Being and the Sustainable Development Goal of Sustainable Cities and Communities, ensuring safer urban development and healthier living conditions. Moreover, the approach is transferable to other arid and semi-arid regions, offering valuable insights for countries facing similar challenges in sustainable urban planning.

Keywords: Geographic Information System (GIS); Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP); Multicriteria Decision-Making (MCDM); Landfill Site Selection; Solid Waste Management; Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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