A Software Framework for GIS-based Multiple Criteria Evaluation of Land Suitability

In this paper a software framework for the evaluation of land use suitability questions is described. To answer these questions, a multiple criteria evaluation approach is used. The criteria are expressed through a set of indicators, which are the basis for the multiple criteria evaluation with the Compromise Programming approach. This method expects raster datasets with corresponding weights as input for each indicator. To determine the indicator weights, the Analytic Hierarchy Process is used. The theoretical and mathematical principles of both approaches are described. Furthermore, this paper focuses on the development and usage of appropriate software applications, especially the logical structures as well as the information and data processing.