Military Site Selection Based on Passive Defense Approach (Integrating RS, GIS, and the Analytic Network Process [ANP] Model) at Ardabil Township

Pasban, AmirHesam; Abedini, Mousa

Military Site Selection Based on Passive Defense Approach (Integrating RS, GIS, and the Analytic Network Process [ANP] Model) at Ardabil Township

Document Type : Extract article from research project

Authors

AmirHesam Pasban ¹

Mousa Abedini ²

¹ Ph.D Student, Department of Physical Geography, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran.

² Professor, Department of Physical Geography, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran.

Abstract

Background and Objective: In this study, the Analytic Network Process (ANP) model was employed within a Geographic Information System (GIS) framework to zone Ardabil County for the purpose of optimal military site selection. The primary objective was to identify and prioritize the most suitable areas for the establishment of military bases, taking into account environmental, climatic, and human-related criteria.
Methodology: This research is of an applied type and has been conducted using a descriptive-analytical method. For this purpose, fourteen important indicators including altitude, slope, slope direction, geology, vegetation, temperature, humidity, soil, distance from road, village, fault, land use, distance from waterway were classified into three main groups (minor, human and environmental). First, using the ANP model and Super Decisions software, the weight of each of them (using a questionnaire and 30 experts and news) was calculated based on pairwise comparisons and internal and external relationships among them. Then, using the GIS environment, spatial information layers related to each indicator were prepared and processed, and the final weight of each layer was integrated using the Raster Calculator tool. In the next step, the final zoning map of the garrison location was divided into five classes from completely suitable to completely unsuitable.
Results and Findings: Results indicated that approximately 30% of the study area falls within the "highly suitable" and "suitable" classes, mainly located in the central and western parts of the county. In contrast, about 30% of the area was found to be "moderately suitable," predominantly covering the northern and central regions. Additionally, 40% of the area was classified as "unsuitable" or "highly unsuitable," with most of these areas situated in the northern and southern parts of the county. The findings of this research can serve as an effective decision-making tool for defense institutions and urban management authorities in the optimal placement of military facilities.

Keywords

Analytic Network Process (ANP)

Geographic Information System (GIS)

Remote Sensing (RS)

Site Selection

Ardabil

Subjects

Regional & Urban Spatial Organization

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