Enhancing Urban Land Use Planning Using GIS: A Case Study of Metropolitan City Council

Thesis Abstract

Urban land use planning faces increasing challenges due to rapid urbanization, spatial heterogeneity, and the demand for sustainable development, necessitating the integration of advanced geospatial technologies to improve decision-making processes. This study addresses the critical need for an efficient, data-driven framework for urban land use planning within the Metropolitan City Council, aiming to enhance spatial accuracy, land allocation efficiency, and policy responsiveness through Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The specific objectives include (i) evaluating the current land use planning practices and identifying their limitations, (ii) developing a GIS-based land suitability analysis model, and (iii) assessing the impact of GIS integration on planning outcomes and decision-making efficacy within the Metropolitan City Council. The research adopts a mixed-methods approach, integrating qualitative and quantitative strategies. The quantitative component is a descriptive survey targeting the urban planning department of the Metropolitan City Council, with a population of 150 officials and land planners. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select a sample size of 75 respondents, representing various departments engaged in land use planning. Data collection instruments comprise structured questionnaires, GIS data layers, and official planning documents. The qualitative component involves thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with 15 senior planners and key stakeholders, focusing on experiential insights and expert opinions regarding current practices and perceived GIS benefits. Descriptive statistics, such as frequency distributions and mean scores, will be used to analyze survey data, while inferential techniques—including multiple regression analysis and ANOVA—will evaluate the relationship between GIS integration and planning efficiency, and assess the significance of differences between planning outcomes pre- and post-GIS implementation. Thematic analysis will be employed to interpret qualitative data, identifying recurrent themes, challenges, and success factors associated with GIS adoption. The analytical framework is grounded in the Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen, 1991), which postulates that attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived control influence technology adoption, and the Spatial Theory of Urban Development, emphasizing the importance of geographical data in urban growth management. Expected findings suggest that GIS enhances land use planning by providing spatial accuracy, facilitating comprehensive scenario analysis, and promoting participatory planning processes. It is anticipated that GIS-enabled models will improve land suitability assessments, optimize land allocation, and lead to more sustainable urban growth patterns. The study also expects to uncover key barriers to GIS adoption, such as institutional resistance, lack of technical capacity, and data limitations, along with strategies for effective integration. This research contributes to knowledge by demonstrating empirical evidence on GIS effectiveness in urban planning contexts specific to developing cities and urban councils, thereby filling gaps related to practical implementation challenges and socio-technical factors influencing technology adoption. The findings are intended to serve as a framework for other similar urban settings seeking to leverage GIS technology for sustainable land management. The main conclusion advocates for institutional capacity building, policy reforms, and investments in geospatial infrastructure to facilitate widespread GIS adoption. Recommendations include the development of tailored GIS training programs, institutionalizing GIS in planning workflows, and establishing data-sharing platforms. Future research should explore longitudinal assessments of GIS impact on urban sustainability metrics and expand to comparative studies across multiple urban councils, reinforcing the case for GIS as an integral component of urban land use planning in evolving metropolitan environments.