In this article it is presented a case study of GIS application for medium-term land use planning in communal level. The study provided not only the basic spatial database in communal level, but also evaluated the land suitability, land use, land use changes, function of irrigation and drainage systems and agricultural land urbanization as well. It has been collected all land information for Xhafzotaj commune located the centre of Albania. During the land data collection in parcel level and its processing are found out the most important soil characteristics and qualities, as well as is accomplished the agricultural land suitability assessment for irrigable agriculture classified in four suitable classes (S1-S4) and one non suitable. The majority of agricultural land is classified in S1 and S2 classes, respectively 37.9 % and 33.4 %, while the land in S3, S4 and N classes occupied small area, 12.5 %, 6.2 % and 10.1 % respectively. Based in the land use information before and post 1991 it is realized a change analysis of land use in communal level. About 43.6 % of arable land and 48.7 % of orchards are converted in fallow land, whereas 12 % of arable land is converted in non-agricultural land. The data shows that 18.9 % of the agricultural land is occupied with the new buildings from which 21.6 % within S1 class and 21.2 % within S2 class, while only 1.2 % are built in non suitable agricultural land (N class. Zoning of the best agricultural land, zoning of urbanised agricultural land and medium-term land use planning in communal level are developed. The results demonstrated the potential of GIS application for land use planning.

land use planning; land suitability; land use; land use change

Presentation: oral