A Spatial Multi-Criteria Decision Framework for Eco-Industrial Park Siting in Syria’s Reconstruction: A Case Study in the Coastal Region

Eco-industrial parks (EIPs) offer a strategic means to merge industrial symbiosis principles into post-conflict reconstruction; however, their adoption in Syria remains largely unexplored. To address this gap, this research introduces a replicable methodology for EIP site selection in Akkar Plain, located in Syria’s southern coastal region, thereby advancing the broader discourse on integrating EIPs into reconstruction policy. This study combines Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and utilises both quantitative and qualitative methods. A literature review and expert focus group identified 12 site selection criteria, which were then classified and weighted through AHP pairwise comparisons, and synthesized using weighted overlay analysis. Following this, the suitability map was divided into five zones, from least to most suitable. Key findings include: (1) geographical and environmental criteria were most significant, accounting for 39% of the total site selection weight; (2) the most influential sub-criteria were proximity to settlements and major roads, as well as slope and elevation, each weighted between 11.5% and 20.5%; (3) the analysis identified 3.83 km² of highly suitable land (suitability index > 80%), with ~ 150 ha concentrated in the northeastern sector, and 34.29 km² classified as suitable, while avoidance zones comprise 66.5% of the effective study area; (4) the optimal site aligns with the Regional Plan 2040 development vision, supporting desired industrial symbiosis. These findings provide planning decision-makers with an evidence-based, defensible tool for EIP site selection in data-limited, post-conflict contexts. Thus, it facilitates the balanced integration of environmental, economic, and social priorities in sustainable industrial development.