The Use of Multicriteria Decision Methods in Planning and Design

Abstract

Fields associated with design and physical planning are appropriate domains for the use of multicriteria decision methods. Various methods are compared and "weighted summation" technique is put forward as the most suitable method for the needs of design and planning. The case of city planning is used to illustrate the methodology. The phases of "design of alternatives", "determination of objectives and criteria" and "evaluation" are described with the help of examples. The paper concludes with principles and problems in the use of multicriteria decision methods; in design and planning.