Spatial Suitability For Determining the Most Appropriate Locations for Establishing Markets and Commercial Center in the Capital City (Sana'a) – Yemen Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Abstract

 This study aims to develop a spatial model to identify the optimal locations for establishing markets and commercial centers in the capital, Sana'a. This model is part of the city's urban services system, and Sana'a is considered one of the largest commercial areas in the Republic of Yemen. It boasts a large number of markets and commercial centers, as it is the political capital of the country To achieve the study objectives, the Geographic Information System (GIS) technology was adopted to conduct spatial analyses, by using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), Spatial Modeling, and the Multi-Criteria Decision Support Systems (MCDA) method with the Weighted Overlay method, relying on 8 natural and human factors or criteria and determining their degree of importance and weights The reliability ratio (CR=4.8) is an acceptable ratio that indicates the consistency of the weights used in the analysis. The degrees of spatial suitability varied into three levels ranging from least to most suitable. The results showed that the best suitable locations are located on the outskirts of the capital’s districts, which are the districts of Ma’in, Bani Al-Harith, Al-Sab’een, Shu’ub, and Al-Wahda.