Planning for an Uncertain Future: Can Multicriteria Analysis Support Better Decision Making in Climate Planning?

Ingrid Gould Ellen, Jessica Yager, Melinda Hanson, Luke Bosher

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The realities of climate change demand updated approaches and tools to support decision making. In this article, we examine the promise of an emerging tool, multicriteria analysis (MCA), in climate-change planning. We find that MCA has the potential to perform better than cost-benefit analysis and working group approaches in supporting decision-making processes that are more participatory, transparent, comprehensive, rigorous, and scenario-driven. However, in practice, MCA may not achieve all of these effective planning principles, and it is more likely to fall short in cases where planners have limited resources.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)349-362
Number of pages14
JournalJournal of Planning Education and Research
Volume36
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2016

Keywords

  • citizen participation
  • environment
  • natural resources
  • sustainability

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geography, Planning and Development
  • Development
  • Urban Studies

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