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Optimizing site selection of new cities in the desert using environmental geomorphology and GIS: a case study of Kuwait

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Abstract

Choosing the optimal location for a city based on sound environmental geomorphology planning is of the utmost importance for achieving environmental sustainability, as it can spare the state and other decision-making entities a great deal of stress in the long run. GIS offers great potential for environmental planners to choose the most appropriate places for the cities of the future, especially when coupled with environmental geomorphological analyses. The State of Kuwait seeks sustainable development through the implementation of clear and specific urban plans, some of which suffer from a severe lack of geomorphological and spatially based environmental planning. This study aims to (1) conduct suitability modeling for establishing new cities in Kuwait, (2) assess the current 2005–2030 urban plan, and (3) propose possible recommendations and solutions for potential urban problems. The study relies on integrating several methods to devise a framework that will aid researchers and decision-makers in selecting optimal locations for built structures based on analysis and modeling (e.g., digital elevation model, geologic mapping, geomorphology, natural hazards, heritage/archeological sites, military areas, oil fields, soils). Using this methodology in choosing city sites contributes to achieving sustainable development, reducing problems during construction processes, saving countries’ budgets, and saving lives. Results from this study enhance understanding of how environmental geomorphology, when combined with GIS, can be harnessed to achieve sustainable urban development in the Arabian Gulf countries and other desert countries.

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Source: EMISK, 2011)

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source: Live traffic, Google Maps, 16 November 2018

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Professor Mahmoud Adel Hassaan (Alexandria University), and Professor Raafat Misak (KISR), for their contributions to reviewing and improving the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Education, Matrouh University, Marsa Matrouh, Egypt

    Ahmed Hassan

  2. Department of Geography, College of Social Sciences, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait

    Maha Alfaraj

  3. Ministry of Education, Kuwait City, Kuwait

    Mahmoud Fayad

  4. Faculty of Science and Technology, The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados

    Casey D. Allen

  5. Stone Heritage Research Alliance, Tremonton, UT, USA

    Casey D. Allen

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  1. Ahmed Hassan
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  2. Maha Alfaraj
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Contributions

Methodology: Ahmed Hassan, Mahmoud Fayad, and Maha Alfaraj; writing—original draft, Ahmed Hassan, Maha Alfaraj, Mahmoud Fayad, and Casey D Allen; writing—review and editing, Ahmed Hassan and Casey D Allen.

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Correspondence to Ahmed Hassan.

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Hassan, A., Alfaraj, M., Fayad, M. et al. Optimizing site selection of new cities in the desert using environmental geomorphology and GIS: a case study of Kuwait. Appl Geomat 13, 953–968 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12518-021-00403-1

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