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H. Pundt et al.
• as developer and provider of methodologies and software tools.
The role of facilitator was quite important as some stakeholders had conflicts with
others about the “best” adaptation measures. However, most participants appreciated
the role of the university as a helping hand to achieve hands-on results. An important
conclusion is that the participation of the relevant actors from different sectors and
administrative levels is a prerequisite to take actual decisions about the implementation of adaptation measures. The entire process from problem analysis to solution
and suggestions of measures needs an independent moderator.
The methodology developed during the “BebeR”-project promotes a multidisciplinary, cross-sector, and transparent approach, supported by the analytical capabilities of Geoinformation services (Pundt et al. 2017). A further step in the methodology
is the evaluation and prioritization of adaptation measures. Such an assessment must
be based on a sound multicriteria evaluation method. In many cases not only one
decision on a specific adaptation measure has to be taken, because alternatives exist.
Deciding which option is best requires a prioritization of the alternatives that occur.
A multi-criteria evaluation of the different outcomes can contribute to generally
accepted measures.
3.2 Inter-sectoral, Transdisciplinary Decision-Making
Within “BebeR”, two approaches were chosen to support the development of climate
change adaptation measures. First, spatial data and geographical information services
were used to integrate spatial data from various sectors to identify vulnerabilities,
patterns and new insights concerning the suitability of specific sites and areas for
adaptation measures (as shown before). Second, a multi-criteria analysis was applied
to help in the prioritization of measures. The university provided methodological and
technical support in these fields.
3.2.1 Methodological Approach
As mentioned previously, climate change adaptation requires proper consideration
of the data, goals and specific views of different sectors. Integrating data, goals and
views can be a quite difficult task. A multi-criteria analysis is a tool to support such
complex, sometimes ill-structured decision-making processes:
In a situation where multiple criteria are involved, confusion can arise if a logical, wellstructured decision-making process is not followed. Another difficulty in decision making is
that reaching a general consensus in a multidisciplinary team can be very difficult to achieve.
By using MCA the members don’t have to agree on the relative importance of the Criteria or
the rankings of the alternatives. Each member enters his or her own judgements, and makes
a distinct, identifiable contribution to a jointly reached conclusion. (LDACMP 2020)
Figure 3 shows the methodological approach that was chosen within the BebeR-
H. Pundt et al.
• as developer and provider of methodologies and software tools.
The role of facilitator was quite important as some stakeholders had conflicts with
others about the “best” adaptation measures. However, most participants appreciated
the role of the university as a helping hand to achieve hands-on results. An important
conclusion is that the participation of the relevant actors from different sectors and
administrative levels is a prerequisite to take actual decisions about the implementation of adaptation measures. The entire process from problem analysis to solution
and suggestions of measures needs an independent moderator.
The methodology developed during the “BebeR”-project promotes a multidisciplinary, cross-sector, and transparent approach, supported by the analytical capabilities of Geoinformation services (Pundt et al. 2017). A further step in the methodology
is the evaluation and prioritization of adaptation measures. Such an assessment must
be based on a sound multicriteria evaluation method. In many cases not only one
decision on a specific adaptation measure has to be taken, because alternatives exist.
Deciding which option is best requires a prioritization of the alternatives that occur.
A multi-criteria evaluation of the different outcomes can contribute to generally
accepted measures.
3.2 Inter-sectoral, Transdisciplinary Decision-Making
Within “BebeR”, two approaches were chosen to support the development of climate
change adaptation measures. First, spatial data and geographical information services
were used to integrate spatial data from various sectors to identify vulnerabilities,
patterns and new insights concerning the suitability of specific sites and areas for
adaptation measures (as shown before). Second, a multi-criteria analysis was applied
to help in the prioritization of measures. The university provided methodological and
technical support in these fields.
3.2.1 Methodological Approach
As mentioned previously, climate change adaptation requires proper consideration
of the data, goals and specific views of different sectors. Integrating data, goals and
views can be a quite difficult task. A multi-criteria analysis is a tool to support such
complex, sometimes ill-structured decision-making processes:
In a situation where multiple criteria are involved, confusion can arise if a logical, wellstructured decision-making process is not followed. Another difficulty in decision making is
that reaching a general consensus in a multidisciplinary team can be very difficult to achieve.
By using MCA the members don’t have to agree on the relative importance of the Criteria or
the rankings of the alternatives. Each member enters his or her own judgements, and makes
a distinct, identifiable contribution to a jointly reached conclusion. (LDACMP 2020)
Figure 3 shows the methodological approach that was chosen within the BebeR-