Optimizing Landfill Siting in Pokhara Metropolitan City Using Gis-based Multi-criteria Decision Analysis

Subash Rimal; Lav Gurung

doi:doi:10.11648/j.sdenv.20260101.18

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Optimizing Landfill Siting in Pokhara Metropolitan City Using Gis-based Multi-criteria Decision Analysis

Subash Rimal^*

, Lav Gurung

Published in Science Discovery Environment (Volume 1, Issue 1)

Received: 11 August 2025 Accepted: 26 January 2026 Published: 20 February 2026

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Abstract

Pokhara Metropolitan City has seen a rapid expansion of the urban footprint, and population growth has resulted in an increase in municipal solid waste that far exceeds the capacity for disposal and management. This study utilized a GIS-based Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) approach using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to determine the best locations for landfill sites. The study selected eight criteria and assigned weights to the criteria based on the relative importance to determine landfill suitability: proximity to lakes, rivers, roads, and settlements, slope, soil type, land use/land cover (LULC) type, and tourism areas. An assigning weight and combining analysis was performed in ArcGIS in which spatial layers were reclassified for analysis using weighted overlay analysis. The final product was a suitable map of land represented in four classes: unsuitable, less suitable, suitable, and highly suitable. The study results demonstrate that only 5.2% of the total area is very suitable for landfill development and that the highest consolidated amounts of land designated as highly suitable were in the north and east wards. Field verification showed that the GIS-based model is reliable, and the process is transparent and replicable. The methodology used in this study is important for sustainable landfill siting in urban planning, and the method has wider applications for similar areas in the Himalaya region undergoing rapid urbanization.

Published in	Science Discovery Environment (Volume 1, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.sdenv.20260101.18
Page(s)	85-97
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

GIS, MCDA, Landfill Siting, AHP, Waste Management, Environmental Impact, Spatial Analysis, Urban Planning

References

[1]	Thapaliya, P., Dhakal, A., Gautam, R., & Shrestha, R. (2021, October). Quantum GIS based suitability analysis for effective planning of solid waste management of Kathmandu Valley. FOSS4G - Asia 2021, Dhulikhel, Nepal https://www.researchgate.net/publication/363208348
[2]	Bhandari, N., & Pokhrel, R. (2020). Report on site suitability analysis for waste disposal site selection using Geographic Information System and Multicriteria Decision Analysis: A case study of Pokhara Metropolitan City. Kathmandu University, School of Engineering, Department of Geomatics Engineering.
[3]	Subedi, S., Thakulla, A., Joshi, Y., & Ghimire, U. (2023). GIS based MCDA selection of waste management site in Kanchanpur District, Nepal. American Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering, 3(1), 4. http://www.scienceppg.com/journal/ajese
[4]	Guler, D., & Yomralioglu, T. (2017). A GIS-based landfill site selection approach using spatial multi-criteriadecision making methods. In Proceedings of the International Symposium on GIS Applications in Geography and Geosciences (ISGGG-2017) (pp. 599-606). Istanbul Technical University.
[5]	Asori, M., Dogbey, E., Morgan, A. K., Ampofo, S. T., Mpobi, R. K. J., & Katey, D. (2022). Application of GIS-based multi-criteriadecision making analysis (GIS-MCDA) in selecting locations most suitable for siting engineered landfills - the case of Ashanti Region, Ghana. Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, 33(2), 1-28. https://doi.org/10.1108/MEQ-04-2021-0030-039
[6]	Joshi, A. K., & Mishra, K. R. (2023). Suitability analysis to purpose the appropriate dumpsite on Dadeldhura using MCDA (Multi criteria decision analysis). Global Scientific Journal, 11(5), 2039-2050. https://www.globalscientificjournal.com
[7]	Rijal, A., Timalsina, A., Khatri, R., Sah, A. K., & Mehta, S. (2024). Integrated approach to waste management in Banepa Municipality: Combining Geographic Information System, Analytical Hierarchy Process, and Network Analysis for Landfill Site Selection and Route Optimization. FIG Regional Conference 2024 - Nepal, Climate Responsive Land Governance and Disaster Resilience: Safeguarding Land Rights, Kathmandu, Nepal, 14-16 November 2024. International Federation of Surveyors (FIG).
[8]	Saud, P. B. (2024). Optimal landfill site selection in Achham District: Using GIS and MCDA. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net
[9]	Magoura, A., Dehimi, S., & Redjem, A. (2023). A GIS-based multi-criteria evaluation of landfill site selection in the region of Hodna, Algeria. Journal of Degraded and Mining Lands Management, 10(4), 4709-4720. https://doi.org/10.15243/jdmlm.2023.104.4709
[10]	Fernando, S. N. L., Ariyarathna, T. D. S., Bandara, W. M. J. Y., & Mendis, C. C. D. (2025). Selection of suitable landfill site in Colombo District, Sri Lanka using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) based Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA). Proceedings of the 29th International Forestry and Environment Symposium 2025, Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, 91.
[11]	Saaty, T. L. (1977). A scaling method for priorities in hierarchical structures. Journal of Mathematical Psychology, 15(3), 234-281. https://doi.org/10.1016/00222496(77)90033-5
[12]	"Landfill site selection using GIS and Multicriteria Decision Analysis: A Case Study of Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City" by Keshav Raj Bhusal, Prablin Ransola, and Surya Adhikari, published in the Journal of Advanced Research in Geo Sciences & Remote Sensing (Volume 10, Issue 18.2, 2023, pp. 20-28.
[13]	Bhusal, K. R., Ransola, P., & Adhikari, S. (2023). Landfill site selection using GIS and Multicriteria Decision Analysis: A case study of Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City. Journal of Advanced Research in Geo Sciences & Remote Sensing, 10(18.2), 20-28.

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APA Style

Rimal, S., Gurung, L. (2026). Optimizing Landfill Siting in Pokhara Metropolitan City Using Gis-based Multi-criteria Decision Analysis. Science Discovery Environment, 1(1), 85-97. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sdenv.20260101.18

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ACS Style

Rimal, S.; Gurung, L. Optimizing Landfill Siting in Pokhara Metropolitan City Using Gis-based Multi-criteria Decision Analysis. Sci. Discov. Environ. 2026, 1(1), 85-97. doi: 10.11648/j.sdenv.20260101.18

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AMA Style

Rimal S, Gurung L. Optimizing Landfill Siting in Pokhara Metropolitan City Using Gis-based Multi-criteria Decision Analysis. Sci Discov Environ. 2026;1(1):85-97. doi: 10.11648/j.sdenv.20260101.18

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@article{10.11648/j.sdenv.20260101.18,
  author = {Subash Rimal and Lav Gurung},
  title = {Optimizing Landfill Siting in Pokhara Metropolitan City Using Gis-based Multi-criteria Decision Analysis},
  journal = {Science Discovery Environment},
  volume = {1},
  number = {1},
  pages = {85-97},
  doi = {10.11648/j.sdenv.20260101.18},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sdenv.20260101.18},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sdenv.20260101.18},
  abstract = {Pokhara Metropolitan City has seen a rapid expansion of the urban footprint, and population growth has resulted in an increase in municipal solid waste that far exceeds the capacity for disposal and management. This study utilized a GIS-based Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) approach using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to determine the best locations for landfill sites. The study selected eight criteria and assigned weights to the criteria based on the relative importance to determine landfill suitability: proximity to lakes, rivers, roads, and settlements, slope, soil type, land use/land cover (LULC) type, and tourism areas. An assigning weight and combining analysis was performed in ArcGIS in which spatial layers were reclassified for analysis using weighted overlay analysis. The final product was a suitable map of land represented in four classes: unsuitable, less suitable, suitable, and highly suitable. The study results demonstrate that only 5.2% of the total area is very suitable for landfill development and that the highest consolidated amounts of land designated as highly suitable were in the north and east wards. Field verification showed that the GIS-based model is reliable, and the process is transparent and replicable. The methodology used in this study is important for sustainable landfill siting in urban planning, and the method has wider applications for similar areas in the Himalaya region undergoing rapid urbanization.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Optimizing Landfill Siting in Pokhara Metropolitan City Using Gis-based Multi-criteria Decision Analysis
AU  - Subash Rimal
AU  - Lav Gurung
Y1  - 2026/02/20
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sdenv.20260101.18
DO  - 10.11648/j.sdenv.20260101.18
T2  - Science Discovery Environment
JF  - Science Discovery Environment
JO  - Science Discovery Environment
SP  - 85
EP  - 97
PB  - Science Publishing Group
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sdenv.20260101.18
AB  - Pokhara Metropolitan City has seen a rapid expansion of the urban footprint, and population growth has resulted in an increase in municipal solid waste that far exceeds the capacity for disposal and management. This study utilized a GIS-based Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) approach using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to determine the best locations for landfill sites. The study selected eight criteria and assigned weights to the criteria based on the relative importance to determine landfill suitability: proximity to lakes, rivers, roads, and settlements, slope, soil type, land use/land cover (LULC) type, and tourism areas. An assigning weight and combining analysis was performed in ArcGIS in which spatial layers were reclassified for analysis using weighted overlay analysis. The final product was a suitable map of land represented in four classes: unsuitable, less suitable, suitable, and highly suitable. The study results demonstrate that only 5.2% of the total area is very suitable for landfill development and that the highest consolidated amounts of land designated as highly suitable were in the north and east wards. Field verification showed that the GIS-based model is reliable, and the process is transparent and replicable. The methodology used in this study is important for sustainable landfill siting in urban planning, and the method has wider applications for similar areas in the Himalaya region undergoing rapid urbanization.
VL  - 1
IS  - 1
ER  -

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Author Information

Subash Rimal

Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University, Pokhara, Nepal

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0000-1555-1751
Lav Gurung

Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University, Pokhara, Nepal

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0004-2083-7294

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APA Style

Rimal, S., Gurung, L. (2026). Optimizing Landfill Siting in Pokhara Metropolitan City Using Gis-based Multi-criteria Decision Analysis. Science Discovery Environment, 1(1), 85-97. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sdenv.20260101.18

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ACS Style

Rimal, S.; Gurung, L. Optimizing Landfill Siting in Pokhara Metropolitan City Using Gis-based Multi-criteria Decision Analysis. Sci. Discov. Environ. 2026, 1(1), 85-97. doi: 10.11648/j.sdenv.20260101.18

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AMA Style

Rimal S, Gurung L. Optimizing Landfill Siting in Pokhara Metropolitan City Using Gis-based Multi-criteria Decision Analysis. Sci Discov Environ. 2026;1(1):85-97. doi: 10.11648/j.sdenv.20260101.18

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.sdenv.20260101.18,
  author = {Subash Rimal and Lav Gurung},
  title = {Optimizing Landfill Siting in Pokhara Metropolitan City Using Gis-based Multi-criteria Decision Analysis},
  journal = {Science Discovery Environment},
  volume = {1},
  number = {1},
  pages = {85-97},
  doi = {10.11648/j.sdenv.20260101.18},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sdenv.20260101.18},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sdenv.20260101.18},
  abstract = {Pokhara Metropolitan City has seen a rapid expansion of the urban footprint, and population growth has resulted in an increase in municipal solid waste that far exceeds the capacity for disposal and management. This study utilized a GIS-based Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) approach using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to determine the best locations for landfill sites. The study selected eight criteria and assigned weights to the criteria based on the relative importance to determine landfill suitability: proximity to lakes, rivers, roads, and settlements, slope, soil type, land use/land cover (LULC) type, and tourism areas. An assigning weight and combining analysis was performed in ArcGIS in which spatial layers were reclassified for analysis using weighted overlay analysis. The final product was a suitable map of land represented in four classes: unsuitable, less suitable, suitable, and highly suitable. The study results demonstrate that only 5.2% of the total area is very suitable for landfill development and that the highest consolidated amounts of land designated as highly suitable were in the north and east wards. Field verification showed that the GIS-based model is reliable, and the process is transparent and replicable. The methodology used in this study is important for sustainable landfill siting in urban planning, and the method has wider applications for similar areas in the Himalaya region undergoing rapid urbanization.},
 year = {2026}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Optimizing Landfill Siting in Pokhara Metropolitan City Using Gis-based Multi-criteria Decision Analysis
AU  - Subash Rimal
AU  - Lav Gurung
Y1  - 2026/02/20
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sdenv.20260101.18
DO  - 10.11648/j.sdenv.20260101.18
T2  - Science Discovery Environment
JF  - Science Discovery Environment
JO  - Science Discovery Environment
SP  - 85
EP  - 97
PB  - Science Publishing Group
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sdenv.20260101.18
AB  - Pokhara Metropolitan City has seen a rapid expansion of the urban footprint, and population growth has resulted in an increase in municipal solid waste that far exceeds the capacity for disposal and management. This study utilized a GIS-based Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) approach using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to determine the best locations for landfill sites. The study selected eight criteria and assigned weights to the criteria based on the relative importance to determine landfill suitability: proximity to lakes, rivers, roads, and settlements, slope, soil type, land use/land cover (LULC) type, and tourism areas. An assigning weight and combining analysis was performed in ArcGIS in which spatial layers were reclassified for analysis using weighted overlay analysis. The final product was a suitable map of land represented in four classes: unsuitable, less suitable, suitable, and highly suitable. The study results demonstrate that only 5.2% of the total area is very suitable for landfill development and that the highest consolidated amounts of land designated as highly suitable were in the north and east wards. Field verification showed that the GIS-based model is reliable, and the process is transparent and replicable. The methodology used in this study is important for sustainable landfill siting in urban planning, and the method has wider applications for similar areas in the Himalaya region undergoing rapid urbanization.
VL  - 1
IS  - 1
ER  -

Copy | Download