Land suitability assessment of the Olomouc region: an application of an Urban Planner model

Abstract

This paper and accompanying maps focus on a land suitability assessment of the Olomouc region in the Czech Republic. All results were calculated in Urban Planner, a model designed by the authors of this paper. The method of calculation is based on a multi-criteria analysis (weighted overlay method), respects the principles of sustainable development, and allows for execution of several scenarios. The main result of this work is a set of maps. The first map sheet shows the land suitability for housing, recreation, public services, heavy industry, light industry, and transportation. The second map sheet consists of four maps showing different scenarios of land suitability for housing: one map showing the evaluation of existing proposals for housing from urban plans, and one map showing optimal areas for housing calculated by the Urban Planner model. The maps can be used as a significant source of information about the suitability of development in the Olomouc region in geographic or urban studies, both for experts and the general public. All thematic maps are on the scale of 1:125,000; supplementary maps are smaller.

Keywords

• Land suitability
• Urban Planner
• Olomouc region
• multi-criteria analysis
• scenario modelling
• geovisualization