A GIS based multi-criteria analysis for siting recreational Parksin Yola-north local government

Recreation and leisure is vital in human life. Suitability analysis is essential in planning for developmental projects especially within a built up area; hence identification of potential sites for such projects is critical in urban development. This study demonstrates the application of geographic information system (GIS) based multi-criteria analysis to identify potential sites for recreational parks in Yola-North local government, Nigeria. Five datasets were used for the purpose of this study; Street data, elevation data (digital elevation model), land use/cover, population and open spaces data, generated from Yola geo database using Arc GIS 10.2. A suitability model was developed to identify suitable sites considering three criteria; these are slope of not less than 60%, population density and availability of parcels. Suitable sites were determined by overlay operations using the weighted overlay tools. This study concluded that with suitability analysis using spatial analyst extension, potential sites for recreational parks can be identified.