Work

The integration of multi-agent system and multicriteria analysis for developing participatory planning alternatives in urban contexts

Year: 2025

Type: article

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 problems where a predefined and discrete set of alternatives has to be evaluated and those where, 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 undeveloped. Within this context, the presented contribution proposes an integrated approach for supporting a stakeholder participatory process of scenario planning. Specifically, information provided by context analysis through SWOT and Stakeholder Analysis, and the elicitation of preferences expressed by the main stakeholders involved in the planning process through a multicriteria method are combined into a spatially explicit multi-agent system (MAS). MAS supports the scenario building phase, taking into account both the satisfaction of citizens’ and stakeholders’ preferences and the overall sustainability of the site, according to a set of multi-dimensional indicators. The creation of alternative scenarios is strongly based on 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 the integrated approach, since the transformation is at an impasse, due to the high pollution of the soil and the different perspectives of stakeholders involved. The results suggest the ability of the integrated approach to support the development of participatory solutions, that are able to take into account sustainable objectives, stakeholders’ needs and the specificity of the context under analysis.

Source: Environmental Impact Assessment Review

DOI: 10.1016/j.eiar.2025.107855

Author: Caterina Caprioli

Institution: Politecnico di Torino

Language: English

Topic: Urban Planning and Valuation

Subfield: Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,900