METHODOLOGY

In order to correclty identify suitable locations to open a Doggy Cafe in Vancouver City, criteria needed to be extracted from each layer based on the Constraints and Factors initially identified.

IDRISI's Macro Modeler was used to provide a graphic representation of the methods used to extrapolate data from each layer in order to allow for the correct data to be used within the Multi-Criteria Evalution (MCE) module within IDRISI. As the study area was Vancouver City, only data from Vancouver City was aquired. Therefore the first constraint to this evalution was met.

Landuse was set as a Constraint because a commercial business may only be opened in areas that are zoned as such.

All other factors, Skytrain stations, Bus Routes, Parks, Bike Routes, Main Streets and Veterinary Clinics were processed using the Distance module within IDRISI before being utilized for the MCE.

Conducting the Multi-Criteria Evalution

Once all the data was prepared, it was appriate to run it though the MCE. The Constraint, Landuse was added. None of the data had been standarized, so each Factor utilized the Fuzzy Factor Stadarization feature within the MCE. This was necessary because all the distance values within each of the factors is different. The Fuzzy Factor Standardization allows for each of these different distance measurements to be standardized into comparable suitability values.

Fuzzy Factor Stadarization

Distance from Bus Route Factor

The bus route was processed using a Linear Membership function type and a Monotonically decreasing Membership function shape. This is because as distance from the Bus Route increases, as does suitability. The minimum value for the control point was set at "0" and the maximum value was set at the maximum data value, 4252.65 meters.

Distance from Parks Factor

The distance from Parks Factor was processed with the assumption that a business establishment, although desirable near a park should be within a moderate distance away from it as to not detract from it's recreational appeal. Therefore, it would be appropriate to look at suitability as very low within 100 meters. However, from a business perspective it would be very attractive for potential customers, expecially dogs, if the Cafe was located within 1000 meters from the park. After that distance, suitability would remain the same, it would neither increase nor decrease. Therefore the monotonically decreasing Sigmoidal function was used. The minimum control point was set at 100 and the maximum control point was set at 1000.

Distance from Skytrain Station Factor

The distance from Skytrain factor was processed using the Monotonically decreasing Linear function. This is because as distance from the Sky train decreases, as does suitability. The minimum value for the control point was set at "0" and the maximum value was set at the maximum data value, 11970.8 meters.

Distance from Veterinarian Office Factor

To be within a short distance of a Veterinarian Office was identified by the dogs as being desirable. However, as distance increases suitability decreases dramatically. This is simply because if an emergency should occur, the closer a Veterinarian Office is the faster a dog may seek medical attention. The Monotonically decreasing J-Curve was chosen. This was chosen because within the first 300 meters, suitability is optimal. Between 300 meters and 3000 meters, suitability decreases dramatically. The minimum control point was set at 300 meters, the maximum control point was set at 3000 meters.

Distance from Roads Factor

The distance from Roads factor has been identified by the Dogs as being desirable as distance increases, yet from a business point of view, to be within a short distance of a road is required in order to receive product. Therefore, from a business persepective, being within 500 meters from a main road is suitable, but being within 300 meters from a main road is where maximum suitability lies. In order to accomidate the target client, it is important that the Cafe not be too close to the main roads. Therefore it can be determined that a distance of 100m from the main road is where maximum suitability begins. The Symmetric Linear Curve was chosen to accomidate this scenario. The minimum control points were set at a:0, b:100, c:300, d:500.

Distance from Bike Route Factor

The distance from Bike Route Factor was set unsing the monotonically decreasing sigmoidal curve. This is because the dogs would like to have the bike routes nearby so they do not have to go far to chase humans. Suitability decreases until 1000 meters, where the likelihood of a dog travelling that distance to chase becomes less likely. The minimum control point was set a "0" and the maximum control point was set at 1000 meters. After 1000 meters suitability neither decreases or increases with distance.

Pairwise Comparison

After the Factors were standardized, a pairwise comparison was done in order to "rank" the factors to determine their relative importance to opening a Doggy Cafe in Vancouver City.

The Pairwise Comparison returned the following result:

The eigenvector of weights is :

bikeroutedistfuzz : 0.1757
busroutedistfuzz : 0.2496
mainstreetdistfuzz : 0.0699
parksdist2fuzz : 0.1328
vetdistfuzz : 0.0899
skytraindistfuzz : 0.2821 Consistency ratio = 0.04
Consistency is acceptable.

TO SPATIAL ANALYSIS

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