Applying Fuzzy and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) in Site Selection of Tabriz Oil Refinery

Tabriz is one of the industrial metropolitan cities in northwest of Iran. The main objective of this study was to implement a spatial analysis, using geographic information system (GIS), to site selection of optimal environs with minimum negative environmental effects for Tabriz oil refinery. Therefore, different information layers such as slope, land use, landside, distance to city center, protected areas; residential areas, available land use, and hydrology were entered in ArcGIS and IDRISI software and organized in a specific data base. Next, the digital layers were weighted and classified on the basis of available standards. Then, with the aim of finding appropriate sites for establishment of Tabriz oil refinery, the Analytical Hierarchy Process and Weighted Linear Combination, were used. The result of this study introduced the best sites for establishment of Tabriz oil refinery. The results of this method can help pinpoint the desirability of the development and its impacts on the environment.