GIS-based analysis of geo-resources and geo-hazards for urban areas - the example of the northern periphery of Belo Horizonte (capital of Minas Gerais, Brazil)

• Published in: REM - International Engineering Journal Vol. 70; no. 1; pp. 39 - 45
• Main Authors: Hofmann, Monika, Hoppe, Andreas, Karfunkel, Joachim, Büchi, Allan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Fundação Gorceix 01-03-2017
• Subjects: ENGINEERING, MECHANICAL; geo-hazards; geo-resources; GEOLOGY; GIS; groundwater vulnerability; MECHANICS; METALLURGY & METALLURGICAL ENGINEERING; multi-criteria decision making; predictive mapping; soil properties; spatial analysis; spatial decision support system; spatial decision support system; GIS; spatial analysis; geo-hazards; geo-resources; predictive mapping; soil properties; groundwater vulnerability; multi-criteria decision making
• ISSN: 2448-167X; 2448-167X
• DOI: 10.1590/0370-44672015700135

Abstract Easily understandable thematic maps of geo-scientific parameters are important for land use decision making. If several parameters are relevant and have to be compared, it is important that they are consistent with each other, available at the same spatial range and detail and normed to a common data range. In the current study, geological and topographical data have been used to derive a set of 90 geo-scientific maps for an area of 400 km² in the northern part of the metropolitan area of Belo Horizonte. Each parameter has been transferred to a common data range between 0 and 1 using a Semantic Import Model strategy and afterwards combined to derive new parameters for soil hydrology and hydrogeology. From these, many intermediate geo-scientific parameters, maps of geo-resources (sand/gravel, carbonates, fertile soils) and geo-hazards (erosion, groundwater pollution) have been derived that they can be used as base information for a participatory and sustainable land use planning. The workflow is transparently stored in GIS-tools and can be modified and updated if new information is available.