Identification of Potentially Suitable Sites for new Urban Development Using GIS-based Multi-Criteria Evaluation in the Blue Corridor of Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam

Efficient and sustainable urban development is necessary due to the rapid growth of urbanization. A crucial step in successful urban planning projects is to determine the appropriateness of sites for urban development. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the suitability of sites for urban development in the Blue Corridor of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam using a GIS-based AHP method. The GIS-based AHP technique is a valuable tool for analyzing site suitability and offering valuable insights for urban planners and decision-makers. The researchers examined three factors and fifteen criteria or parametric layers. The factors included topographic and site features (namely Soil type, land use land cover, Elevation, slope, and aspect criterias), Economic, Infrastructure, and services factors (namely Airport, power line, land value, Road network, Built up areas, and Mine and mineral ore criteria), and environmentally sensitive factors (namely Lakeshore lines, River, Lineament density, and NDVI criteria). These factors and criteria were weighted using the AHP technique. Data was collected analyzed quantitatively using GIS, Global Positioning System (GPS), AHP method and software, and expert knowledge. The results of this study showed that 58.89% is moderately suitable, 8.11% is low suitable, 30.84% is highly suitable, and 2.16% is the highest suitable. The identified districts and sub-districts for new urban development are Guba (Aysid, Babi Zenda, Basheta), Mengie (Fardiso), Oda Bildigildu (Faduni, Alifashir), Sherkole (Abale Nyentsa, Amorma), Sirba Abay or Sedal (Aregema, Berkasa, Gule Tsegeda, Wanjo, Zenbe), and Wembera (Ashemibinet, Dekoka, Wershsega, Baniya). We recommend these areas be utilized by federal and regional government decision-makers for project implementation and strategic planning. Integrating these insights will help ensure sustainable future initiatives are grounded in healthy indications and aligned with local community needs.