Abstract
The objectives of this study are to build up the concept of Environment-Oriented Land Suitability Assessment(EOLSA) and to develop the EOLSA mapping system by applying the EOLSA criteria to the case study area. In order to draw out the EOLSA critera, this study adopted the Delphi method including the experts' awareness survey to urban planners as well as environmental researchers in May and June 2001. As a result, the concept of EPLSA was defined as a process of land use planning to scientifically assess the physical and environmental value of land and to classify conservation aptitude into several grades for the sustainable management of environmental resources. With an outcome of applying the EOLSA criteria with five degrees to the Seoul Metropolitan Area (SMA), Grade I, indicating the highest conservation value, accounted for 57.76% of the SMA. Then, Grade II reached up to 15.06%, Grade III 3.12%, Grade IV 15.92%, and Grade V, the lowest conservation value, 7.99% respectively. And also, the case analysis showed that the share of Grade I area was the highest in Gapyong county and Yangpyong county, Pochon county, Yeonchon county, Yongin city in the order and the lowest in Kwangmyong city, Osan city, Kunpo city, Kuri city, and Buchon city.