[ Log In | Register]
! Skip Navigation Links
Skip Navigation Links
Image of Journal of Applied Nonlinear Dynamics
ISSN:2325-6192 (print)
ISSN:2325-6206 (online)
Journal of Environmental Accounting and Management
António Mendes Lopes (editor), Jiazhong Zhang(editor)
António Mendes Lopes (editor)

University of Porto, Portugal

Email: aml@fe.up.pt

Jiazhong Zhang (editor)

School of Energy and Power Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province 710049, China

Fax: +86 29 82668723 Email: jzzhang@mail.xjtu.edu.cn

A Spatial Decision Support Tool to Study Risks and Opportunities of Complex Environmental Systems

Journal of Environmental Accounting and Management 3(2) (2015) 197--212 | DOI:10.5890/JEAM.2015.06.008

Valentina Ferretti; Marta Bottero;Giulio Mondini

Department of Regional and Urban Studies and Planning, Politecnico di Torino, Torino, Italy

Download Full Text PDF

 

Abstract

An important problem arising when assessing territorial systems is linked to their complexity. This requires multidimensional approaches for the evaluation in order to obtain concise final judgments. Moreover, when dealing with territorial systems, the analysis of the geographical patterns of the elements under investigation plays a fundamental role. This paper proposes an integrated approach for the analysis of a complex environmental system based on the use of Multicriteria-Spatial Decision Support Systems (MC-SDSS). MC-SDSS consist in the integration of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Multicriteria Decision Aiding (MCDA) techniques. In particular, starting from a real case related to a mountain area in Northern Italy, the present paper explores the potentialities of the MC-SDSS methodology for supporting the definition of future transformation scenarios.

Acknowledgments

The paper is the result of the joint work of the three authors. Despite the overall responsibility being equally shared, Marta Bottero is responsible for paragraphs 1, 2.1, 3.1 and 3.2 while Valentina Ferretti is responsible for paragraphs 2.2, 3.3 and 3.4. The abstract and paragraph 4are the result of the joint work of the three authors. Finally, the authors would like to express a special thanks to Dr. Elisa Piolatto for the work done during her thesis at the Architectural and Landscape Heritage post-graduates specialization school of the Polytechnic University of Turin (Italy).

References

  1. [1]  Beinat, E. (1997), Value Functions for Environmental Management, Kluwer, Dordrecht.
  2. [2]  Bottero, M. (2011), Assessing the economic aspects of Landscape, In Cassatella, C. and Peano, A. (Eds.), Landscape indicators, Springer: Berlin, pp. 167-192.
  3. [3]  Bottero, M., Comino, E. and Riggio, V. (2011), Application of the Analytic Hierarchy Process and the Analytic Network Process for the assessment of different wastewater systems, Environmental Modelling & Software 26: 1211-1224.
  4. [4]  Brody, S.D., Grover, H., Bernhardt, S., Tang, Z., Whitaker, B. and Spence, C. (2006), Identifying Potential Conflict Associated with Oil and Gas Exploration in Texas State Coastal Waters: A Multicriteria Spatial Analysis. Journal of Environmental Management 38: 597-617.
  5. [5]  Deakin, M. and Curwell, S. (eds.) Sustainable Urban development. Volume 3: the toolkit for assessment, Routledge: Oxon.
  6. [6]  Duzgun, H.S.B., Yucemen, M.S., Kalaycioglu, H S., Celik, K., Kemec, S., Ertugay, K. and Deniz, A. (2011), An integrated earthquake vulnerability assessment framework for urban areas, Natural Hazards 59: 917-947.
  7. [7]  Eastman, J. (2006), IDIRSI Andes. Guide to GIS and image processing, Clark Univerisity, Worchester.
  8. [8]  European Commission (2001), Assessment of Plans and Projects Significantly Affecting Natura 2000 Sites, Office of the Official Pubblications of European Communities: Luxembourg.
  9. [9]  Godet, M. (1987), Scenarios and Strategic Management, Butterworths: London.
  10. [10]  Ferretti, V. (2013), Le Analisi Multicriteri spaziali a supporto delle procedure di pianificazione e valutazione: analisi e classificazione della letteratura scientifica, Geoingegneria Ambientale e Mineraria L(2): 53-66.
  11. [11]  Ferretti, V. and Pomarico, S. (2013), Ecological land suitability analysis through spatial indicators: an application of the Analytic Network Process technique and Ordered Weighted Average approach, Ecological Indicators 34: 507-519.
  12. [12]  Ferretti, V., Bottero, M. and Mondini, G. (2014), An integrated approach for exploring vulnerabilities and opportunities of complex territorial systems, In: Murgante B. et al. (Eds.), ICSSA 2014, part III, LNCS 8581, Springer International: Berlin, pp. 667-681.
  13. [13]  Kahn H. and Weiner, A. (1967), The Year 2000: A Framework for Speculation on the Next Thirty-Three Years, McMillan: New York.
  14. [14]  Keeney, R.L. (1992), Value focused thinking. Harvard university press: Cambridge.
  15. [15]  Malczewski, J. (1999), GIS and Multicriteria Decision Analysis, John Wiley and Sons: New York.
  16. [16]  Montibeller, G. and Franco, A. (2007), Decision and Risk Analysis for the Evaluation of Strategic Options, In: O’brien, F.A, Dyson R.G. (eds.) Supporting Strategy: Frameworks. Methods and Models. John Wiley & Sons: Chichester.
  17. [17]  Nijkamp, P. and Rienstra, S.A. (1998), The pivotal role of the private sector in achieving transport policy objectives, European Spatial Research and Policy 93-113.
  18. [18]  Nijkamp, P. and Vindigni, G. (2003), Impact assessment of qualitative policy scenarios. A comparative case study on land use in Sicily, Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal 14(1): 108-133.
  19. [19]  Nijkamp, P., Rienstra S. and Vleugel J. (1997), Transportation and the Future, Wiley: New York.
  20. [20]  Ratcliffe, R. (2000), Scenario Building: a Suitable Method for Strategic Property Planning? Property Management 18(2): 127-144.
  21. [21]  Rutledge, D.T., Cameron M., Elliott S., et al. (2008), Choosing Regional Futures: Challenges and choices in building integrated models to support long-term regional planning in New Zealand, Regional Science Policy & Practice 1: 85-108.
  22. [22]  Schwartz, P. (1996), The Art of the Long View. Currency Doubleday: New York.
  23. [23]  Saaty, T.L. (1980), The Analytic Hierarchy Process. McGraw Hill: New York.
  24. [24]  Saaty T.L. (2005), Theory and Applications of the Analytic Network Process. RWS Publications: Pittsburgh.
  25. [25]  Sharifi, M.A. and Rodriguez, E. (2002), Design and development of a planning support sys-tem for policy formulation in water resources rehabilitation: the case of AlcázarDe San Juan District in the Aquifer La Mancha Spain, International. Journal of. Hydroinformatics 4(3)： 157-175.
  26. [26]  Scholten, H.J., LoCashio, A. and Overduin, T. (1998), Towards a spatial information infrastructure for flood management in The Netherlands, Journal of Coastal Conservation 4: 151-160.
  27. [27]  Stewart, T., Franch., S. and Rios, J. (2013), Integrating multicriteria decision analysis and scenario planning—Review and extension, Omega 41: 679-688.
  28. [28]  Torrieri, F. and Nijkmap, P. (2009), Scenario Analysis in Spatial Impact Assessment: a methodological approach, In: Vreeker, R., Spatial Research and Policy, Spring: 93-113.
  29. [29]  Volk, M., Hirschfeld, J., Schmidt, G., Bohn, C., Dehnhardt, A., Liersch, S. and Lymburner, L. (2007), A SDSS-based Ecologicaleconomic Modelling Approach for Integrated River Basin Management on Different Scale Levels – The Project FLUMAGIS, Water Resources Management 21: 2049-2061.
  30. [30]  Warfield, J. (1995), An Overview of Futures Methods, In: Slaughter, R. (ed) The Foresight Principle, Praeger: Connecticut.
  31. [31]  Zerger, A. and Wealands, S. (2004), Beyond Modelling: Linking Models with GIS for Flood Risk Management, Natural Hazards 33: 191-208.
  32. [32]  Volk, M., Lautenbach, S., van Delden, H., Newham, L.T.H. and Seppelt, R. (2010), How Can We Make Progress with Decision Support Systems in Landscape and River Basin Management? Lessons Learned from a Comparative Analysis of Four Different Decision Support Systems, Journal of Environmental Management 46, 834-849.

Copyright © 2011-2024 L & H Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved. Wildcard SSL Certificates