Fuzzy Multi-Criteria Decision-Making in Sustainable Development
Summary
Fuzzy Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (Fuzzy MCDM) has emerged as a pivotal approach for addressing the inherent uncertainty and complexity of sustainable development challenges. By incorporating fuzzy set theory into classical decision frameworks, Fuzzy MCDM allows stakeholders to model qualitative judgements—such as social equity, environmental impact and economic viability—as gradations rather than rigid thresholds. This flexibility is particularly valuable when evaluating intricate systems like urban planning, energy-efficient building design and infrastructure renewal, where data may be incomplete or expert opinions diverge. Central to the approach are structured hierarchies and network models that decompose overarching sustainability objectives into measurable criteria and sub-criteria. Aggregation techniques then synthesise expert evaluations into ranking scores or feasibility indices, guiding policymakers towards balanced, context-sensitive strategies. The use of fuzzy logic thus offers a transparent and systematic way to reconcile trade-offs and to navigate uncertainty, advancing both theoretical rigour and real-world applicability in the pursuit of sustainable development goals.
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Fuzzy Multi-Criteria Decision-Making in Sustainable Development publication trend
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Technical terms
Fuzzy Set: A mathematical representation in which elements have degrees of membership between zero and one, modelling vagueness.
Fuzzy MCDM: A decision-support methodology that integrates fuzzy logic with multi-criteria frameworks to handle uncertain or imprecise information.
Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP): A structured technique for organising and analysing complex decisions via pairwise comparisons and priority weighting.
TOPSIS: A ranking method that selects alternatives closest to the ideal solution and furthest from the nadir point using distance measures.
Fuzzy Delphi Method: An expert-based consensus process enhanced by fuzzy logic to convert subjective judgements into stable, aggregated values.
q-Rung Orthopair Fuzzy Set: An extension of fuzzy sets providing separate degrees for membership and non-membership, offering greater expressiveness in uncertainty modelling.
References
- A Fuzzy Multi-Criteria Evaluation Framework for Urban Sustainable Development. Mathematics (2020).
- Evaluating the Renewal Degree for Expressway Regeneration Projects Based on a Model Integrating the Fuzzy Delphi Method, the Fuzzy AHP Method, and the TOPSIS Method. Sustainability (2023).
- A DFuzzy-DAHP Decision-Making Model for Evaluating Energy-Saving Design Strategies for Residential Buildings. Energies (2012).
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