Integration of analytic hierarchy process and weighted goal programming for land use optimization at the watershed scale

Authors: HADI MEMARIAN, SIVA K. BALASUNDRAM, KARIM C. ABBASPOUR, JAMAL B. TALIB, CHRISTOPHER TEH BOON SUNG, ALIAS MOHD SOOD

Abstract: In recent decades, the Hulu Langat Basin in Malaysia has been exposed to extensive changes in land use pattern and consequently hydrological conditions. Maintaining a reasonable balance between environmental currents and governmental/population demands is a difficult task. In this work, 3 land use scenarios were defined, which are the present (baseline), future, and water conservation plans. Weighted goal programming (WGP), integrated with the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), was used to optimize the baseline land use scenario with consideration of water conservation outcomes and future development trend. Three types of objectives were involved in the AHP-WGP approach, i.e. social, economic, and environmental. The values of environmental objectives were estimated using the optimized Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). Four planning alternatives were defined and formulated, i.e. A1, A2, B1, and B2. The AHP-WGP approach resulted in 4 optimized land development alternatives. In terms of the water conservation objective, alternatives A1 and B1 were more desirable than alternatives A2 and B2, respectively. However, due to the existing socioeconomic-environmental circumstances within the Hulu Langat Basin, alternatives B1 and B2 were more appropriate.

Keywords: Land use optimization, weighted goal programming, analytic hierarchy process, SWAT, Hulu Langat Basin

Full Text: PDF