Integrating multi-criteria evaluation with geographical information systems

TLDR

GIS offers powerful tools for manipulating and analyzing spatial information, yet its functionality is largely confined to deterministic analyses such as spatial search. Combining multi‑criteria evaluation with GIS enables users to assess alternatives against multiple, conflicting criteria and objectives, supporting the development of spatial decision‑support systems. The authors illustrate the approach by locating suitable sites for radioactive‑waste disposal in the UK using Arc/Info GIS.

Abstract

Abstract Geographical information systems (GIS) provide the decision-maker with a powerful set of tools for the manipulation and analysis of spatial information. The functionality of GIS is, however, limited to certain deterministic analyses in key application areas such as spatial search. The integration of multi-criteria evaluation (MCE) techniques with GIS is forwarded as providing the user with the means to evaluate various alternatives on the basis of multiple and conflicting criteria and objectives. An example application based on the search for suitable sites for the disposal of radioactive waste in the UK using the Arc/Info GIS is included. The potential use of a combined GIS-MCE approach in the development of spatial decision support systems is considered.