relevance is concerned, this could be judged as medium because the evaluation
mainly considers the socio-economic aspects of the problem.
The final case considers the application of an extension of the ELECTRE III with
interaction to an environmental decision problem (Bottero et al. 2015). The decisionmaking relevance is extreme due to the novelty of the application. In the study, the
method proved to be very appropriate and able to highlight and build robust
conclusions, considering the existence of some arbitrariness in the definition of
weights and interaction coefficients. Also, the sustainability relevance is high as
the evaluation considers the existence of possible interactions between pairs of
criteria. This is fundamental in the context of sustainability assessment where the
substitution principle cannot be suitable and where it is necessary to assess the levels
of synergy or redundancy among the main dimensions (environmental, social and
economic).
4 Applications
4.1 Infrastructural Projects: Application of Analytic Network
Process and Interactive Maps to the Genoa-Rotterdam
Corridor
4.1.1 Decision Problem
The case study is related to the evaluation of Corridor 24 (Genoa-Rotterdam)
alternative development strategies, and it has been analysed in the framework of
an Interreg IVB NWE Project, called “Code24” (Abastante et al. 2014). The Code24
Project aimed at identifying a shared spatial and infrastructural sustainable strategy
for the regions connected through this infrastructure of strategic European importance. Based on a problem-oriented and not on geographical approach, Corridor
24 has been divided into nine subregions, which present analogue problem backgrounds; for each region, alternative strategies have been explored and drafted. The
key components of the strategies reflected the structure of the MCDA adopted as
well (more precisely the clusters and nodes of the Analytic Network Process model).
4.1.2 MCDA Method
A Collaborative Assessment Workshop has been designed in order to allow different
forms of interaction between the participating actors and enabling them to contributing referring to both their knowledge as local stakeholders and experts’ skills. The
assessment foresees, in fact, four different stages of interaction with the content
materials and the other participants:
6 Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis to Assess Urban and Territorial. . .
99
mainly considers the socio-economic aspects of the problem.
The final case considers the application of an extension of the ELECTRE III with
interaction to an environmental decision problem (Bottero et al. 2015). The decisionmaking relevance is extreme due to the novelty of the application. In the study, the
method proved to be very appropriate and able to highlight and build robust
conclusions, considering the existence of some arbitrariness in the definition of
weights and interaction coefficients. Also, the sustainability relevance is high as
the evaluation considers the existence of possible interactions between pairs of
criteria. This is fundamental in the context of sustainability assessment where the
substitution principle cannot be suitable and where it is necessary to assess the levels
of synergy or redundancy among the main dimensions (environmental, social and
economic).
4 Applications
4.1 Infrastructural Projects: Application of Analytic Network
Process and Interactive Maps to the Genoa-Rotterdam
Corridor
4.1.1 Decision Problem
The case study is related to the evaluation of Corridor 24 (Genoa-Rotterdam)
alternative development strategies, and it has been analysed in the framework of
an Interreg IVB NWE Project, called “Code24” (Abastante et al. 2014). The Code24
Project aimed at identifying a shared spatial and infrastructural sustainable strategy
for the regions connected through this infrastructure of strategic European importance. Based on a problem-oriented and not on geographical approach, Corridor
24 has been divided into nine subregions, which present analogue problem backgrounds; for each region, alternative strategies have been explored and drafted. The
key components of the strategies reflected the structure of the MCDA adopted as
well (more precisely the clusters and nodes of the Analytic Network Process model).
4.1.2 MCDA Method
A Collaborative Assessment Workshop has been designed in order to allow different
forms of interaction between the participating actors and enabling them to contributing referring to both their knowledge as local stakeholders and experts’ skills. The
assessment foresees, in fact, four different stages of interaction with the content
materials and the other participants:
6 Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis to Assess Urban and Territorial. . .
99