Sustainable Land Use Planning in Developing Countries Using GIS and Multi-criteria Analysis: A Case Study of Lalitpur District, Nepal

Abstract Rapid urbanization in Nepal is leading to unplanned land development and use. This study conducted a comprehensive land use suitability analysis for urban development in Lalitpur District, Nepal, using Geographic Information System (GIS) and Multi-criteria Analysis (MCA) techniques. By studying factors such as existing infrastructure which include land cover, population density, flood sensitivity, slope, digital elevation model (DEM), road network, education and health facility, distance to brick factory and land fill site, the study identified suitable areas for urban development in Lalitpur District. The study identified four suitability classes for urban development: highly suitable, moderately suitable, marginally suitable, and not suitable. Highly suitable areas are typically flat, have low population densities, and are close to infrastructure, far away from landfill site, flood region and brick factory. Moderately suitable areas are typically hilly, have higher population densities, and are farther from infrastructure. Marginal suitable areas are in floodplains, have steep slopes, and are near to industrial areas. Not suitable areas are too steep, highly prone to flood, too close to industrial areas, and have high population density. The study found that 0.0234 sq.km of the study area is highly suitable for urban development, 146.0344 sq.km is moderately suitable, 214.7742 sq.km is marginally suitable, and 36.0680 sq.km is not suitable. Central and western parts of the district are the most suitable for urban development and northern and southern corner being the least suitable. The findings of the analysis emphasize the importance of considering environmental factors in land use planning and urban development. It highlights the need to preserve green spaces, protect water bodies, and ensure the long-term well-being of residents. The results provide valuable insights for decision-makers and urban planners, enabling them to make informed decisions and allocate resources effectively.