GIS-BASED DECISION MODEL FOR WAREHOUSE RETAIL LOCATION ANALYSIS IN SINGAPORE

Abstract

The Warehouse Retail Scheme (WRS) by the Economic Development Board (EDB) provides opportunity for large-scale retail activities to be situated at industrial sites. In this study, a GIS-based model was developed to aid retail developers in identifying the suitability of a site for warehouse retail development (WRD) within Singapore. The model identified the criteria used in the selection of the location of a WRD using existing literature and information from interviews with retail developers. From the interviews, population catchment, cost of development, physical environment of the site in term of accessibility and availability parking space are considered the three most important criteria. NTUC FairPrice also mentioned future potential of an estate as the fourth important criterion. Using a weighted Multi-Criteria Evaluation (MCE), suitability maps were produced. Potential sites for WRD were identified from government and private industrial land sale. Data used were further verified through interviews with various real estate consultancies firms and industrial developers.. Using this model, it was found that the most suitable site for WRD is a site at Loyang Industrial Park. It has a population catchment of 58,394 and is accessible by the major expressways linking it to the other parts of Singapore. The nearest MRT station is also only 2km away.. The average spending power of the households in its primary trading area is about $15 millions per month. In conclusion, this site has a strong profile of population and its accessibility to various amenities and transportation modes makes it an ideal site for WRD.