GIS-Based Multi-Criteria Analysis for Public Toilet Site Selection: A Case Study of Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia

Abstract

Urban public infrastructure plays a vital role in sustainable urban development, impacting public health, social equity, and quality of life. In Mekelle City, the capital of Tigray, Ethiopia, inadequate provision of public toilets presents significant sanitation, health, and environmental challenges. This study aimed to identifying the most suitable locations for new public toilet facilities in Mekelle using a GIS-based multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) approach. Data collection involved comprehensive field surveys, secondary data from municipal offices and stakeholders, and geospatial data from sources like Google Earth. Key criteria considered in the GIS analysis included slope, population density, proximity to existing facilities, road accessibility, and land use. These factors were systematically processed, buffered, rasterized, reclassified and integrated within the ArcGIS Model Builder to generate spatial suitability maps for public toilet placement. The findings reveal a marked disparity in the distribution and functionality of existing public toilets, with some sub-cities such as Semen better-served, while others like Adihaqi experience severe shortages relative to population size. Many facilities suffer from poor maintenance and water scarcity, compromising their usability and public health benefits. The GIS-based multi-criteria analysis identified that most of the city is moderately suitable for new toilet installations, with highly suitable sites concentrated in commercial, mixed-use, and densely populated zones. Validation of the suitability model highlighted gaps between optimal locations and current facility distribution, underscoring opportunities for strategic expansion. Based on these results, the study recommends prioritizing infrastructure development in underserved areas, enhancing operational maintenance, upgrading facilities to include modern services and accessibility features, and addressing chronic water shortages. Additionally, leveraging GIS for ongoing planning, fostering community engagement, conducting public sanitation education, and encouraging cross-sector collaboration are essential for sustainable urban sanitation improvements