Fuzzy Modelling in GIS Environment to Support Sustainable

Land Use Planning

Vladimir Badenko1, Dmitry Kurtener2
1
St. Petersburg State Technical University, Polytechnical 29, 195251,
St. Petersburg, Russia: badenko@venture.spb.ru
2
Agrophysical Research Institute, Grazhdansky prospect 14, 195220
St. Petersburg, Russia: Courtene@DK3516.spb.edu

ABSTRACT
The combination of GIS with fuzzy set theory and deterministic models is known as GIS Fuzzy
Modelling (GISFM). GISFM was adopted for support sustainable land use planning. In particular GISFM
is applied for solution of the problem of investment allocation into worse part of the land drainage
systems located in the Saint-Petersburg suburbs. The missing data about loads on water bodies by
agriculture waste products from land drainage system is calculated and mapped automatically by the use
of the ecological model and software developed. Complex evaluations of land drainage plots are carried
out by fuzzy model with the use of four criteria (technological, economical, ecological and social) for two
special tasks: 1) ecological criterion is more important and 2) economical criterion is more significant.
The results show the opportunity of plots ranging by criterion of fund efficiency. All results are provided
by measure of mistrust, which was created by GISFM.

1 INTRODUCTION
Geographical Information Systems (GIS) are important tools for spatial planning (Brail, 2001).
Spatial planning involves decision-making techniques that are associated with techniques such as Multi
Decision Criteria Analysis (MCDA) and Multi Criteria Evaluation (MCE). Combining GIS with MCDA
methods creates a powerful tool for spatial planning (Jankowski, 1995; Malczewiski, 1999). MCE is
perhaps the most fundamental of decision support operations in GIS. Another category of decision-
making techniques utilised in spatial planning is based on the application of fuzzy set theory (Bogardi,
1996; Burrough, 1992; Mays, 1997; Smith, 1992; Wang, 1990; Xiang, 1992). Fuzzy set theory was
introduced by Zadeh (Zadeh, 1965) although the underlying concepts predate this. Overviews have been
provided by Zimmermann (1985), Jager (1995) and Pedrycz (1998). Nowadays, fuzzy set theory is a hot
topic and is used in many different fields and technical arenas to address a variety of questions and
problems, both mundane and abstract (Ross, 1995). Combining GIS with the application of fuzzy set
theory presents a relatively new approach to location choice and land suitability assessment.
The combination of GIS with fuzzy set theory and deterministic models is known as GIS Fuzzy
Modelling (GISFM). During the last few years, several applications of this approach for spatial planning
have been attempted. In particular, GISFM was used for the assessment of burned forest areas with the
aim of planning land restoration (Kurtener, 2000), for land suitability assessment in the process of
agricultural experimentation (Kurtener, 2000a), for the land use management (Kurtener, 2000b), for
assessment of agricultural lands to plan site-specific residue management (Kurtener, 2000b), for risk
management of agricultural drought mitigation (Kurtener, 2003) and for the multi-dimensional evaluation
of areas on the land market (Yakishev, 2000). Common problems of using of fuzzy algorithms to support
spatial planning had been discussed in (Kurtener, 2002).
Many elements of sustainable land use management planning have uncertainties on the one hand and
geo-located characteristics on the other hand. Uncertainty is inherent in processes of the planning, which
involve data and model uncertainty. It originates from the features of objects (variability, instability, etc)
and also from the way of obtaining data (measurement accuracy, processing error, quality of data source,

“7th AGILE Conference on Geographic Information Science” 29 April-1May 2004, Heraklion, Greece
Parallel Session 4.1- “Geographic Knowledge Discovery” 333
etc). GISFM is a useful approach for dealing with uncertainty and imprecision. Here common GISFM
approach is illustrated on the base of development of to fuzzy algorithms: one algorithm - for creation of
complex criterion on the base of partial criteria, and another algorithm - for evaluation of data quality.
Quality of GIS database plays an important role in GIS database formation (especially attribute data
collection). GIS database is based on various sources of information, which are characterized by different
quality. In the process of data integration the known facts obtained with different level of accuracy join
together. As the result the accuracy of geographic data is decreased. For assessment of quality of GIS
database geographical database the method based on GISFM has been developed (Kurtener, 2001). The
measure of mistrust has been calculated and mapped automatically by the developed software.
GISFM approach was adopted for solution of the problem of investments allocation into worse parts
of the land drainage system that requires transformations. In particular GISFM was applied for complex
evaluation of land drainage systems located in the suburbs of Saint-Petersburg agricultural area. The
missing data about loads on water bodies (rivers in region) by agriculture waste products from land
drainage system is calculated and mapped automatically by the use of the ecological model and software
developed by authors. Complex evaluations of land drainage plots are carried out by fuzzy model with the
use of four criteria (technological, economical, ecological and social) for two special tasks: 1) ecological
criterion is more important and 2) economical criterion is more significant. The results show the
opportunity of plots ranging by criterion of fund efficiency. All results were provided by measure of trust,
which was created by GISFM.

2. APPROACHES AND METHODS

The term fuzzy model is used as an umbrella term to describe an end product of fuzzy modelling. In
the same way that various applications of fuzzy set theory can be developed, combinations of fuzzy
applications with crisp models could be the end products of fuzzy modelling. GISFM interfaces GIS with
fuzzy models. The terms interface and interfacing may be used to indicate the simultaneous use of GIS
and modelling tools, since they do not imply a specific level of interaction between them and the terms
linking, combining, and integrating indicate the degree of interfacing (Hartkamp, 1999). In this context,
the term linking is defined as merely the exchange of input and output data between a GIS and a fuzzy
model. The term integrating implies incorporating one system into the other. The term combining can be
defined as a special case when one part of the fuzzy model is linked with GIS and second part of the
fuzzy model is integrated into GIS.
The four main steps used to realise a GISFM approach are as follows (Kurtener, 2002):
Structuring phase: perception of problem, identification of input and output data, obtaining of
missed data using crisp models, definition of alternatives and criteria;
Fuzzy modelling phase: building of fuzzy sets and membership functions, selection of fuzzy
algorithm for integration in GIS environment;
Programming phase: selection of suitable existed software or designing of a new one;
Evaluation phase: creation of thematic maps, perception of results obtained.
The distinguishing feature of the GISFM approach is the fact that indicators or criteria are defined
using membership functions (Badenko, 2001). The structuring phase includes the identification of criteria
as membership functions. A membership function is selected for each indicator or criterion. The choice of
a membership function is somewhat arbitrary and should mirror the subjective expert opinion. Thus, each
indicator (or criterion) is defined by a specific fuzzy sub-model. The GISFM approach is an adequate way
to integrate an expert’s subjective perception as a statement of the meaning of a criterion. The approach
can handle simultaneously quantitative and qualitative variables (Kurtener, 2002).
GISFM software is built up in accordance with a special kind of interfacing. In the case of the
integration of a fuzzy model into a GIS environment, the same programming language should be used
both in the GIS software and for programming of the fuzzy model. For example, if it is assumed that

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GISFM approach will be carried out on the basis of MapInfo® software, then MapBasic® should be used
as the language for programming of the fuzzy model. The example of the approach reported in this
chapter uses MapBasic®.
In the design of transformation of land drainage systems it is necessary to solve the problems of
allocation of investment between parts of the system that need renovations. In other words, each land
drainage system can contain some elements that need to be improved, and funds for their transformation
and rehabilitation are limited in most cases. Thus, it is necessary to solve the following problem: how to
allocate the available investment between these parts. Figure 1 has shown a structure of GISFM adopted
for complex evaluation of land drainage systems.

GIS Environment
Fuzzy model for complex
GIS
assessments of current
database
state of land drainage
systems

Fuzzy model for

assessments of data
quality

Model described loads on water

bodies by some contamination
from land drainage system

Figure 1: Structure of GIS FKM adopted for complex evaluation of land drainage systems.

It is obvious that the solution of the problem should include consideration of the following items:
Evaluation of possibility of efficient use of funds for transformation of land drainage system.
Evaluation of possible ecological effects, if the transformations will not be carried out.
Evaluation of social reaction on this activity.
Consideration of the items is associated with uncertainty analysis. Significance of GISFM is difficult
to overestimate when we try to interpret information about the current state of land drainage systems,
particularly when this is made automatically in the GIS environment. Combination of fuzzy modelling
and GIS technology with process-oriented (or object-oriented) models and expert systems creates a new
opportunity for decision making. Methodological basis of complex evaluation of land drainage plots is the
section of fuzzy set theory devoted to multi-criteria evaluation and choice of alternatives (Kurtener,
2000b). Coefficients of relative significance of criteria are determined by the pairwise comparison
method, which was developed by Saaty (Malczewski, 1999).
In the process of planning to renovate a drainage system, it is necessary to assess the current state of
each land drainage plot and evaluations of land drainage systems for allocation of investment. In
connection with this, the problem can be defined as requiring the following:
To collect data sets.
To estimate a measure of mistrust for GIS database
To obtain missing data about loads on water bodies (rivers in region) by some
contamination from land drainage system.

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 To carry out complex evaluation of land drainage systems for special cases when ecological
criterion is more important.
To make similar analysis for other cases in which economical criterion is more important.
All these steps have been illustrated for a drainage system near Saint-Peterburg, Russia.
The missing data about loads on water bodies (rivers in region) by some contamination (products of
agriculture) from land drainage system is calculated and mapped automatically by the use of the above-
mentioned model and software developed by authors. This model is based on the regional
recommendations (Guideline, 1989) These guideline have the relevant legal status that ensures a legal
basis for usage by local administration of the results of the model application. The model is intended for
calculation of the amount and concentration of pollutants transported into water objects from agricultural
plots through drainage systems. The model contains sub-models for nitrogen (NH4, NO3, NO2) and
phosphorus (P). A whole load (L) from agriculture plots with drainage systems per year for any
contamination are follow:
L=F(p, l, s, d, sq), (1)
where p - precipitation per year (with probability 10, 50 and 95 percents); l - type of land use (arable land
or not); s - soil texture; d - type of drainage system (which determines a proportion between a drainage
and surface runoff); sq - area of agriculture plot.

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Application of GISFM was utilised for complex evaluation of land drainage systems located in the
suburbs of Saint-Petersburg agricultural area. GIS database was created with the use of the county plat
maps, data of land surveys, cadastre documents, etc. After creation of GIS database for drainage system a
measure of mistrust for all attributes has been set on the base of expert opinion, using appropriate fussy
model. The integrated measure of mistrust has been defined by the fuzzy operation named Fuzzy
Algebraic Product (Bonham-Carter, 1994). As example the measure of mistrust for the soil texture,
thickness of topsoil layer and integrated measure of mistrust has been mapped (figure 2).
The missing data about loads on water bodies (rivers in region) by some contamination (products of
agriculture) from land drainage system is calculated and mapped automatically by the use of the above-
mentioned model and software developed by authors. Figure 3 shows the results. Input data for the model
have the measure of mistrust (figure 2) and we can calculate the measure of mistrust for model results for
each drainage plot, which are follow: for plot #1 – 0.11, for plot #2 – 0.14, for plot #3 – 0.16, for plot #4 –
0.21. The plot's numbers has shown on figure 2.
Land drainage plots are introduced as alternatives and the five criteria for evaluation of the plots are
defined as follows (all criteria are estimated by membership function for fuzzy set "the best land drainage
plots for investment"):
Economic criterion (EC): defines the economic efficiency of the use of fund for renovation. Thus, EC
=1 if the economic efficiency is high; EC = 0 if it is not.
Technological criterion (TC): defines the labour-intensiveness of the renovation. TC =1 if labour-
intensiveness is normal; TC = 0 if labour-intensiveness is greater.
Ecological criterion (ECC): defines the ecological effect of renovation. ECC =1 if the ecological
situation has improved greatly; ECC = 0 if it has not improved very much.
Social criterion (SC): defines as the human reaction. SC =1 if the human reaction is very strong; and
SC = 0 if it is not.

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 Index of multiple evaluation (ME): defines the composite effect of the economic, technological,
ecological and social factors. ME =1 if land drainage plot is the best for investment; ME = 0 if it is the
worst.

A B

Figure 2: GIS database with measure of mistrust.

A – soil granulemetric composition (soil texture).
B – thickness of top soil layer.
C – integrated measure of mistrust.

Experts evaluate particular values for all criteria. In this case study, the economic and technological
criteria are described by a stepwise linear function (Kurtener, 2002). A social criterion is evaluated using
linguistic values. The approach is based on the observation that experts usually use linguistic constructs
for the evaluation of ecological and social situations. A five-point membership scale ranging from
Absence to Very High values has been assigned (table 1). The expert's job is to evaluate each land
drainage plot and then choose the most suitable linguistic value to describe the evaluation of the
ecological or social effects of the renovation. Ecological criterion is evaluated using linguistic constructs
(table 1) and results of modelling (figure 2).

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 A B

C D

E F

Figure 3: Loads on water bodies (rivers in region) by some contamination from land drainage system. A,
B - load of NH4; C, D - load of P; E - total load of P; F - total load of NH4.

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 Table 1: Linguistic construction with five-point for membership function scale
Linguistic values Quantitative equivalent
Absence 0
Low 0.25
Medium 0.5
High 0.75
Very high 1

A B

C D

Figure 4: Criteria for land drainage plots. A -technological criteria; B - economical criteria; C - social
criteria; D - ecological criteria.

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 Calculation of complex evaluation of land drainage plots (ME criteria) is carried out on the base of
Saaty pairwise comparison method (Malczewski, 1999). In the case this method involves pairwise
comparisons of 4 criteria (TC, EC, SC and ECC) to create a ratio matrix. It takes as an input the pairwise
comparisons and procedures the relative weights as output. Specifically, the weights are determined by
normalising the eigenvector associated with the maximum eigenvalue of the ratio matrix. Complex
evaluation of land drainage plots is carried out for two special cases: 1) ecological criterion is more
important and 2) economical criterion is more important. On the base of Saaty's standard scale of
evaluation of relative importance of criteria (technological, economical, ecological and social) for special
case when ecological criterion is more significant (task #1) is presented in table 2. Evaluation of relative
importance of criteria for special case when economical criterion more significant (task #2) is presented
in table 3. A calculated weights also is presented in tables. The weights are used for calculation of ME for
these two tasks (figure 5).

Table 2: Pairwise comparisons of evaluation criteria and its weights (task #1)
Criterion ECC EC TC SC
ECC 1 5 6 7 0,619
EC 1/5 1 4 6 0,235
TC 1/6 1/4 1 4 0,101
SC 1/7 1/6 1/4 1 0,045

Table 3: Pairwise comparisons of evaluation criteria and its weights (task #2)
Criterion EC ECC SC TC Weights
EC 1 4 6 7 0,617
ECC 1/4 1 3 6 0,224
SC 1/6 1/3 1 2 0,097
TC 1/7 1/4 1/2 1 0,062

A B

Figure 5: Results of complex evaluation (assessment) of land drainage plots – ME criterion. A - task #1,
B - task #2.

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 The use of method of multi-criteria assessment for definition the index of multiple evaluation allows
to create integrated description of current state of the drainage areas. The study was carried out for two
special cases: task #1 where the ecological factor is more important (Figure 5a), and task #2 where the
economic factor is more significant (Figure 5b). It is easy to see that in the first case the land drainage
plots are ranked as follows: plot # 3, plot # 1, plot # 2, and plot # 4. In the second task we can see another
sequence: plot # 1, plot # 4, plot # 3, plot # 2. We can calculate the measure of mistrust for each drainage
plot in both tasks, which are follow: task #1 - for plot #1 – 0.17, for plot #2 – 0.18, for plot #3 – 0.21, for
plot #4 – 0.22; task #2 - for plot #1 – 0.12, for plot #2 – 0.16, for plot #3 – 0.19, for plot #4 – 0.21. The
plot's numbers has shown on figure.

CONCLUSIONS
GIS Fuzzy Modelling (GISFM) is a new approach based on interfacing fuzzy and crisp modelling
with GIS. It is an appropriate methodology to support location choice and land suitability assessment, as
demonstrated by example of practical implementation to the problem of investment allocation into worse
part of the land drainage systems located in the Saint-Petersburg suburbs. The result has demonstrated the
advantages of GISFM. In particular, fuzzy models are modelling constructs featuring two main
properties6 firstly, they can operate at the level of linguistic terms (fuzzy sets); and secondly, they
represent and process uncertainty. Thus by use of fuzzy models, it possible to describe both subjective
(knowledge-driven) and deterministic (data-driven) information. Also GISFM is an effective tool for
evaluation of the quality of attribute database. In particular, it has been show as all results are provided by
measure of mistrust, which was created by GISFM.

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