Multi-Criteria Decision Making in Site Selection Analysis
Summary
Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) in site selection brings together quantitative and qualitative factors to identify optimal locations for facilities ranging from emergency services to retail outlets. The process typically begins with the definition of relevant criteria—such as cost, accessibility, environmental impact and demographic coverage—followed by the assignment of weights that reflect stakeholder priorities. Techniques such as the Analytic Hierarchy Process and TOPSIS provide structured frameworks for criteria weighting and ranking, while Geographic Information Systems enable spatial data integration and visualisation. Advances in fuzzy set theory and hybrid methods have enhanced the capacity to handle uncertainty and imprecise expert judgments. Sensitivity analysis ensures the robustness of outcomes under varying assumptions. This interdisciplinary domain underpins strategic investment, urban planning and resource allocation, with global applications in disaster resilience, commercial development and infrastructure planning.
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Multi-Criteria Decision Making in Site Selection Analysis publication trend
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Technical terms
Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM): A framework for evaluating and ranking alternatives on multiple, often conflicting criteria.
Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP): A structured technique for deriving criterion weights through pairwise comparisons and consistency checks.
Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS): A method that ranks options based on their distance from an ideal and an anti-ideal solution.
Geographic Information System (GIS): A computer-based tool for capturing, managing and visualising spatial data to support site analysis.
Fuzzy Set Theory: An approach for modelling uncertainty by allowing partial membership of elements in decision-making sets.
MARCOS Method: A comparative ranking approach that measures alternatives’ distances from an ideal and anti-ideal reference scenario.
References
- Ranking Performance of MARCOS Method for Location Selection Problem in the Presence of Conflicting Criteria. Decision Making Advances (2024).
- A new multi-method decision framework for anchor selection and tenant mix allocation optimisation in shopping malls. Omega (2024).
- A new synergistic strategy for ranking restaurant locations: A decision-making approach based on the hexagonal fuzzy numbers. RAIRO - Operations Research (2023).
- Multi-criteria site selection for fire services: the interaction with analytic hierarchy process and geographic information systems. Natural Hazards and Earth System Science (2010).
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