Site Suitability Analysis Using GIS for a Renal Hospital in Urban Canacona, Goa, India

Abstract

Site suitability analysis is a strategic approach for identifying an optimal location for a specific activity through an examination of the current site. To conduct a comprehensive site analysis, various factors, including administrative data, topographical characteristics, and thorough research on land use and land cover, may be taken into account. This study aims to propose the most fitting site for establishing a renal hospital in Canacona, where a notable increase in renal disorders has been observed in recent years. The study is prompted by the local population’s demand for healthcare services and the absence of adequate existing healthcare infrastructure. To compile the primary dataset, GPS survey and on-site observations were conducted to gather the geographical coordinates of existing hospitals and pharmacies. The secondary dataset includes satellite images obtained from Landsat 8 (OLI) to create a Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) map, as well as data from the Advanced Space-borne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) for generating a Digital Elevation Model (DEM). These datasets encompass various parameters such as DEM, LULC, road networks, existing hospitals, and pharmacies, all of which were utilized in the development of the site suitability model. The process involves assigning values to these parameters, and subsequently, a weighted overlay analysis was employed to determine suitable areas for the proposed renal hospital. The results were categorized into four classes: undesirable, less suitable, moderately suitable, and most suitable sites. After careful analysis, the optimal location for the renal hospital in Canacona was identified, spanning an area of approximately 1.55527 hectares.