{"title":"The integration of multi-agent system and multicriteria analysis for developing participatory planning alternatives in urban contexts","authors":"Caterina Caprioli","doi":"10.1016/j.eiar.2025.107855","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Decision-making problems, particularly in transformation and planning processes, often involve multiple conflicting objectives/criteria that should be considered. However, it is possible to distinguish between two different types of problems. In the first type, a predefined and discrete set of alternatives has to be evaluated. In the second type, conversely, the set of suitable solutions is not explicated in advance but requires constraint functions for its definition. Alternative generation for choice problems is a vital activity in decision analysis that is sometimes overlooked and underdeveloped. Within this context, the present contribution proposes an integrated approach for supporting a participatory process of scenario planning. This approach combines three interrelated steps. Firstly, data pertaining to the context are collected using SWOT and Stakeholder Analysis. Secondly, the elicitation of preferences expressed by the main stakeholders involved in the planning process is conducted through a multicriteria method. Thirdly, a multi-agent system (MAS) supports the scenario building phase. MAS takes into account both the satisfaction of citizens' and stakeholders' preferences and the comprehensive sustainability of the site, according to a set of multi-dimensional indicators. The generation of alternative scenarios is contingent upon the consideration of preferences and sustainable performance, but also on the suitability of current and new land uses, which are based on a rich set of data elaborated through a Geographic Information System (GIS). The case study of Basse di Stura in Turin (Italy) represents a useful example to test the applicability of this integrated approach. This is due to the fact that the transformation in this area is at an impasse, due to the high pollution of the soil and the different perspectives of the stakeholders involved. The results reveal the ability of this integrated approach in facilitating the development of participatory solutions, that can take into account sustainable objectives, stakeholders' needs and the specificity of the context under analysis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":309,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Impact Assessment Review","volume":"113 ","pages":"Article 107855"},"PeriodicalIF":9.8000,"publicationDate":"2025-02-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Environmental Impact Assessment Review","FirstCategoryId":"90","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0195925525000526","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Decision-making problems, particularly in transformation and planning processes, often involve multiple conflicting objectives/criteria that should be considered. However, it is possible to distinguish between two different types of problems. In the first type, a predefined and discrete set of alternatives has to be evaluated. In the second type, conversely, the set of suitable solutions is not explicated in advance but requires constraint functions for its definition. Alternative generation for choice problems is a vital activity in decision analysis that is sometimes overlooked and underdeveloped. Within this context, the present contribution proposes an integrated approach for supporting a participatory process of scenario planning. This approach combines three interrelated steps. Firstly, data pertaining to the context are collected using SWOT and Stakeholder Analysis. Secondly, the elicitation of preferences expressed by the main stakeholders involved in the planning process is conducted through a multicriteria method. Thirdly, a multi-agent system (MAS) supports the scenario building phase. MAS takes into account both the satisfaction of citizens' and stakeholders' preferences and the comprehensive sustainability of the site, according to a set of multi-dimensional indicators. The generation of alternative scenarios is contingent upon the consideration of preferences and sustainable performance, but also on the suitability of current and new land uses, which are based on a rich set of data elaborated through a Geographic Information System (GIS). The case study of Basse di Stura in Turin (Italy) represents a useful example to test the applicability of this integrated approach. This is due to the fact that the transformation in this area is at an impasse, due to the high pollution of the soil and the different perspectives of the stakeholders involved. The results reveal the ability of this integrated approach in facilitating the development of participatory solutions, that can take into account sustainable objectives, stakeholders' needs and the specificity of the context under analysis.
期刊介绍:
Environmental Impact Assessment Review is an interdisciplinary journal that serves a global audience of practitioners, policymakers, and academics involved in assessing the environmental impact of policies, projects, processes, and products. The journal focuses on innovative theory and practice in environmental impact assessment (EIA). Papers are expected to present innovative ideas, be topical, and coherent. The journal emphasizes concepts, methods, techniques, approaches, and systems related to EIA theory and practice.