On October 20, 2026, a seminar was held titled “The Role of GIS in Decision Making Process in Urban Planning: Case of Selecting Best Place for Land-Use Services Like Hospitals on the Basis of Several Criteria.” The seminar was presented by Mr. Merkhas Mostafa Mohammed Taher from the Urban Planning Directorate in Duhok. The presentation highlighted the critical intersection between advanced spatial technology and urban planning decisions, emphasizing how multi-criteria GIS analysis can be leveraged to model spatial variables, optimize site suitability, and guide data-driven infrastructure development for sustainable cities. Key Themes Addressed:

• Multi-Criteria Spatial Analysis: Establishing five core criteria for optimal hospital site selection, including distance among health complexes, population density, proximity to car parking, proximity to gardens, and city slope topography.
• Layer Merging and Suitability Modeling: Exploring how combining and overlaying multiple spatial data layers allows planners to evaluate terrain and accessibility constraints comprehensively.
• Quantitative Scoring for Decision Support: Assigning precise suitability scores to identify the most advantageous locations for essential urban land-use services and municipal facilities.