Applying GIS using location allocation models for improved spatial planning of Civil Defence Services: a Case Study of the Karak Governorate, Jordan.

The present study aimed to assess the spatial distribution of the services of the Civil Defence Centres in Karak. The study explores the planning needs of those centres. The study makes suggestions for improving the performance efficiency of those centres. Such suggestions include establishing new facilities. The study uses location allocation models in the network analyst tool in the ArcGIS software as a proposed strategy to improve the spatial planning of urban services in Karak province. The management of the centres in these models can identify the areas which show the greatest demand for services. The study conducts spatial analysis to identify the number of inhabited blocks that are under the service coverage of each centre. The distance between each centre and the inhabited block that is under service coverage should not exceed 7 min of driving. The study finds that there are 88 inhabited blocks in Karak that are under the service coverage of a Civil Defence Centre. There are 23 inhabited blocks in Karak that are not under the service coverage of a Civil Defence Centre. The study recommends creating ten new Civil Defence Centres in order to ensure that 109 out of the 111 inhabited blocks in Karak are under the service coverage of a centre. In other words, these blocks would be provided with services within a duration that does not exceed 7 min of driving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]