Geographical Information System (GIS) Based Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis for Categorization of the Villages: In the Case of Kabul New City Villages

Kabul is experiencing the most powerful wave of urbanization in its history. With the rapid increase of population, typical urban problems such as lowering of the groundwater table, an influx of returnees, traffic jams, deterioration of sanitation, etc., are becoming critical. In 2006, to decrease the pressure from existing Kabul and take measurements for future urbanization process, an independent board was established for the development of a new city adjacent to the existing Kabul by the name of Kabul New City (KNC). There were already 54 villages that existed there. Due to smoothly implementing the master plan and supporting the existing villages, it was necessary to prepare village development plans. As each village has its own characteristics from the urban planning perspective, therefore this research explains a method for categorization of villages through multi-criteria decision analysis; seven potential criteria were identified and rated in collaboration with experts, and Super Decision software was used as an Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) tool to weight the criteria. The final output is a map showing different categories of villages. It will assist the government and urban planners in choosing a clear strategy and platform for developing each individual village to be sustainable and applicable.

Automated summary

Kabul is undergoing the most powerful wave of urbanization in its history, facing critical urban problems. In response, the Kabul New City development committee was established in 2006 to plan for future urbanization. A method for categorizing villages was researched to provide a clear strategy for sustainable development by the government and urban planners.