Landfill site selection in Gweru: a geographical information systems approach

Abstract

The City of Gweru is currently battling to produce a sustainable solid waste management system. The current waste disposal options in Gweru are bedevilled by a number of environmental problems. Many groups, which include environmentalists, planners, consultants, Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and other academics, have shown interest in the search for optimal waste disposal sites for the city. This paper attempts to illustrate how Geographical Information Systems (GIS) could be used by the Gweru City Council as a tool in identifying a suitable location for a landfill in the City. The framework used for the approach is the COLT methodology (Conceptual, Operational and Lastly Technical) level of analysis.