Geology and land suitability analysis for urban development using GIS in industrial area of Gua Musang town

Land use suitability analysis is a key factor in determining the urbanisation plan on the certain places especially in city or town. The assessment of the suitability is determined by series of criteria including the geological and environmental aspect. This research focussed on the geology and land suitability analysis for urban development. The aim of the study is to evaluate the trend and growth of the research area and to produce potential land suitability analysis map for further development. Besides geological map of the research area with scale 1: 25 000 was also updated using GIS method. The research area is around the industrial area of Gua Musang town (E E101°57’58.8’’, N 04°51’48.0’’), which is categorized as growing area that receive positive impact of urbanisation. For geological study, all geological characteristic that associated within the area is identified and analysed, it is including the rock unit, geological structures and morphology of the area. Next, six parameters were selected for suitability analysis study, there are existing land use, water body, road accessibility, slope and elevation of the research area. All parameters were defined based on literature review, available data and expert’s opinion and the weighted overlay category are ranked into five suitability classification, (mostly suitable, suitable, moderate, less suitable and not suitable). As the result, geological map of the research area is produced and for land suitability analysis, there are about 40% of area can be classify as suitable area for urban development and the 60% area is less and not suitable for urban development since the area is plantation and high elevation and slope area.