GIS-based Logic Scoring of Preference method for urban densification suitability analysis

Urban Densification Suitability Analysis (UDSA) approach has been proposed using the GIS-based Logic Scoring of Preference (LSP) decision method. Our goal is to provide the methodology for the evaluation of suitability of locations for high density urban development to facilitate the spatial decision-making process and help justifiable urban planning. The main objectives of this research study are (1) to implement the GIS-based LSP method for high density urban growth suitability analysis, and (2) to perform an overall integrated suitability analysis for two key stakeholders, urban developer and urban planner. The LSP method is based on soft computing and used in the decision-making process to integrate large number of attribute criteria in a way that is consistent with human logic reasoning. The GIS-based LSP method is implemented using geospatial data for Metro Vancouver Region, Canada. Main criteria used to characterize the urban densification include recreation, transportation, existing development, economy, terrain, restrictions, and demography. The obtained results provide the distributions of suitability values and indicate that the opinions of two stakeholders differ. They select different locations as the most suitable for urban densifications and rather agree on the most unsuitable locations. The overall integrated suitability analysis has been performed with scenarios of possible decision-making outcomes between the two stakeholders. We introduce the concept of suitability agreement maps along with urban densification decision criteria. The analysis indicates that the GIS-based LSP method is a useful tool for measuring the similarities and differences in stakeholders' views and facilitating decision-making process for urban densification. •Urban densification is a development process opposed to urban sprawl.•Logic Scoring of Preference (LSP) is a soft computing MCE method for spatial decision-making.•The GIS-based LSP method is used for urban densification suitability analysis.•Reasoning of urban developer and urban planner are represented and compared.•Results indicate the locations of agreement and disagreement of two stakeholders.