<p>This research demonstrates the practical application of Multicriteria Decision Aid (MDA) to address a critical land management challenge: sustainable urban expansion. In response to demographic pressures and urban sprawl in Sidi Bouothman (Morocco), this research develops and applies a spatial MDA methodology to identify optimal development zones. The methodological framework integrates Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Eleven decision criteria, structured into two categories (geomorphological-environmental and socio-economic accessibility), were evaluated and weighted, demonstrating the power of MDA to synthesize complex information. The results identify 1464 hectares (48.8%) of the territory as suitable for expansion, specifically in the northwest and southeast directions. The model’s reliability is quantitatively supported by an exceptional ROC-AUC validation score of 0.988 and a sensitivity analysis showing minimal variation (&lt; ± 1.7%) despite weighting fluctuations. While validating the utility of MDA; demonstrated by the dominant influence of accessibility factors (DNR at 23.52%) over static geomorphology, these results also highlight the limitations of subjective weightings (CR = 6.69%) in capturing the non-linear dynamics of rapid urbanization (a 334.6% demographic growth vs. only a 16.52% spatial consumption). Consequently, this work provides a concrete, data-supported decision-making basis for sustainable planning in Sidi Bouothman, and justifies the future integration of machine learning to overcome AHP subjectivity and better model complex territorial transformations.</p>