Study on methodology of ecological suitability assessment of urban landuse:An example of Pingxiang
城市土地的生态适宜性评价方法——以江西萍乡市为例

Landuse ecological suitability assessment is very important in urban ecological planning. It is essential for this integrative approach that environmental aspects are incorporated into the planning process at an early stage, instead of being evaluated afterwards. This paper describes a methodology that incorporates ecological and environmental aspects in urban planning processes. Based on the functions of spatial data analysis and digital picture visualization of ArcGIS 8.3, a practical method of ecological suitability assessment of urban landuse was supplied. Pingxiang in Jiangxi province was taken as an example and applied to assess the ecological suitability of its urban landuse. With this method, the main urban landuse types were selected firstly and then factors of ecological suitability assessment were chosen. Furthermore, single factor assessment on all urban landuse types was carried out. And then weights of all factors were determined by hierarchical analysis. Through overlaying of all single factor assessment layers, map of ecological suitability assessment of urban landuse could be generated. This easy-use assessment method aims to support the work of local authorities and urban planning offices, especially with regard to identifying options in the early phases of the landuse planning process.