1,720,994 research outputs found
The integration of multi-agent system and multicriteria analysis for developing participatory planning alternatives in urban contexts
Full text linkDecision-making problems, particularly in transformation and planning processes, often involve multiple conflicting objectives/criteria that should be considered. However, it is possible to distinguish between two different types of problems. In the first type, a predefined and discrete set of alternatives has to be evaluated. In the second type, conversely, the set of suitable solutions is not explicated in advance but requires constraint functions for its definition. Alternative generation for choice problems is a vital activity in decision analysis that is sometimes overlooked and underdeveloped. Within this context, the present contribution proposes an integrated approach for supporting a participatory process of scenario planning. This approach combines three interrelated steps. Firstly, data pertaining to the context are collected using SWOT and Stakeholder Analysis. Secondly, the elicitation of preferences expressed by the main stakeholders involved in the planning process is conducted through a multicriteria method. Thirdly, a multi-agent system (MAS) supports the scenario building phase. MAS takes into account both the satisfaction of citizens' and stakeholders' preferences and the comprehensive sustainability of the site, according to a set of multi-dimensional indicators. The generation of alternative scenarios is contingent upon the consideration of preferences and sustainable performance, but also on the suitability of current and new land uses, which are based on a rich set of data elaborated through a Geographic Information System (GIS). The case study of Basse di Stura in Turin (Italy) represents a useful example to test the applicability of this integrated approach. This is due to the fact that the transformation in this area is at an impasse, due to the high pollution of the soil and the different perspectives of the stakeholders involved. The results reveal the ability of this integrated approach in facilitating the development of participatory solutions, that can take into account sustainable objectives, stakeholders' needs and the specificity of the context under analysis
Addressing complex challenges in transformations and planning: A fuzzy spatial multicriteria analysis for identifying suitable locations for urban infrastructures
No full textIntegrated evaluation methods have started to gain more and more importance for supporting the decision-making process in the field of urban and territorial planning, contributing to the consideration of the multidimensionality of the elements involved and the multiple feedback of stakeholders. In the context of infrastructure location in cities, spatial multicriteria analysis is becoming increasingly relevant, thanks to its ability to synthesize the full range of aspects, through Multicriteria Decision Analysis (MCDA), and for the consideration of the spatial dimension, thanks to its integration of GIS data. The case study selected to test this mixed method is the new healthcare project for the metropolitan city of Turin (Italy). The decision where to locate a new healthcare facility is highly complex since many aspects have to be considered, spanning from technical to social factors, and from locational to environmental elements. This choice case study aims at highlighting the role of spatial multicriteria analysis to support Decision Makers (DMs) in the identification of suitable locations for urban facilities and shows the potential of the approach for increasing the participation of different stakeholders thanks to a simple visual representation of data and results. In particular, the research makes use of Analytic Hierarchic Process (AHP) and Fuzzy AHP (FAHP). The comparison of the two approaches shows that they can both be used for identifying suitable locations for urban infrastructures. However, this research demonstrates that AHP should be preferred in the case of the high relevance of all the criteria considered, whereas FAHP introduces more uncertainty in criteria weights assignment and reduces the burden of many spatial analyses with GIS
Agent-based model and Geographic Information System (GIS): an integrated approach to test sustainable policies and urban transformation scenarios
Full text linkL'abstract è presente nell'allegato / the abstract is in the attachmen
Agent-based modelling and geographic information system for evaluation of eco-district's scenarios
Full text linkNowadays, urban regeneration processes increasingly face energy issues. The European Union has recently adopted some directives for promoting energy redevelopment and diffusion of almost zero energy buildings at a large-scale with a view to post-carbon cities. However, to achieve a sustainable growth, the reduction of the greenhouse gas and energy consumption is not sufficient. A wide range of problem dimensions must be investigated and considered, such
as social, economic and environmental aspects. In this multidimensional context, to investigate the stakeholders’ role and to understand their
objectives and desires is essential not only to achieve consensus among parties but also to increase planners’ capabilities in solving decision problems. In this context, the agent-based model (ABM) is of interest to urban planners and municipalities, thanks to its bottom-up approach. The possibility to observe the agent’s (individual actors) actions come from the interactions among them in a specific environment is particularly important to address the sustainable and long-term vision of a city. To those aspects is added the necessity to link this simulation model with spatial and temporal analysis, to create a real world of investigation. The use of GIS and its linkage with ABM seems particularly effective to achieve the final goal. The case study investigates potentials and limits coming from the integration of the two methods in the evaluation of different scenarios with the aim to realize an eco-district in the heart of Turin
(Italy). The objective of the research is to use the San Salvario neighbourhood as a test-bed for an upgrading of the overall city sustainability
The Management of the Post-Olympic Legacy in Turin
No full textThis contribution illustrates the sustainability assessment process of the Turin 2006 Olympic Program, with particular reference to the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) procedure, developed in the ex-ante, in-itinere and ex-post phases. The work focuses on the specificity of the Turin Games, one of the first editions in which the International Olympic Committee (IOC) experimented with environmental assessment procedures for projects. Finally, the chapter focuses on analysing the Olympic legacy of Turin 2006, examining its potential and critical issues from a sustainability perspective at the urban and territorial scale
An Integrated MCA–GIS Framework for Ground Mounted Solar Photovoltaic (GMPV) Site Selection: Methodological Proposal for the Italian Context
No full textThe increasing demand for renewable energy has led to a growing interest in ground-mounted photovoltaic (GMPV) installations. However, the selection of suitable locations for these installations requires a multi-dimensional evaluation that integrates regulatory, environmental, and technical constraints. This study addresses the challenge of locating suitable land for GMPV systems in Italy. We develop a spatial decision support model that integrates Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to incorporate multiple factors, including regulatory requirements, hydrogeological and geotechnical hazards, land use attributes, solar irradiation potential, proximity to infrastructures, and terrain morphology. Each criterion is assigned a weighted value reflecting its relative significance, and the combined analysis yields a priority index that supports decision-makers in identifying optimal sites for photovoltaic deployment. The methodology aims to reconcile the need for increased renewable energy production with broader environmental, social, and economic objectives, ensuring minimal conflicts with other land uses. By systematically evaluating risks such as flood vulnerability and slope instability, the framework facilitates the avoidance of high-risk zones. Furthermore, by considering variables like irradiation levels, land productivity, and ease of grid connection, it maximizes energy yields while limiting environmental impacts and infrastructural costs. This structured and transparent approach can guide regional authorities, urban planners, and private investors in implementing sustainable energy projects. The stakeholder perspective is integral to building consensus, facilitating more inclusive decision-making, and ensuring long-term acceptance and viability at the local level. This ultimately fosters more collaborative planning, aligning energy goals with societal and environmental demands
A multi-step multicriteria approach to evaluate geothermal energy tunnels in urban contexts
No full textCities need profound change to meet energy transition goals and pursue sustainable urban development.
The prevailing energy systems are based on the use of finite resources and produce considerable
environmental degradation. Consequently, there is an imperative to diversify energy sources, to mitigate
climate change and enhance urban resilience. In this context, the reuse and transformation of elements
already present in the city and little exploited, such as underground tunnels, can be the starting point for
creating new energy systems based on renewable energy sources, such as geothermal (Barla et al. 2025).
The development of this technology requires a two-fold analysis: firstly, a spatial analysis to assess the
most suitable areas, taking into account multidimensional and spatial criteria; and secondly, a physicaltechnical tunnel analysis to identify priority tunnels. Specifically, a spatial multi-criteria analysis (S-MCA)
(Malczewski, 1999) is employed to assess the suitability of territories, according to seven dimensions
(social, urban, economic, energy, environmental, cultural, and morphological), resulting in a suitability
map for territory intervention. After that, a multicriteria analysis (MCA) (Greco et al. 2016) is, then, used
to evaluate existing tunnels with respect to geometric-structural and property characteristics, usability,
accessibility, and management. The results of the two analyses are aggregated through a system of
weighing the different factors and dimensions to obtain a final overall categorization to identify priorities
for intervention. The work is part of the European call Driving Urban Transitions (DUT) and, specifically,
the REgENEraTE project, coordinated by the Polytechnic University of Turin, and focused on the study and
development of innovative solutions for the redevelopment of tunnels (operational or abandoned) and
existing underground spaces in urban areas for thermal energy production and storage (REgENEraTE,
2025). The methodological proposal is applied, in the first instance, to the case study of Turin (Italy), which
is characterized by a significant presence of underground tunnels, particularly air raid shelters. However,
the proposed methodology will be replicated in other contexts, not only to assess the feasibility of reusing
individual tunnels, but also to analyze the spatial suitability of the areas where these structures are
located
An Agent-Based Model (ABM) for the Evaluation of Energy Redevelopment Interventions at District Scale: An Application for the San Salvario Neighborhood in Turin (Italy)
No full textThe optimization of mobility connections, the use of renewable energy resources and the retrofit of buildings are only some of the aspects that affect urban transformations and planning. Decision maker and urban planners must be faced with multi-dimensional aspects and objectives in a long-term vision. In that context, different methods have been developed in order to consider these multi-dimensional perspectives. However, only a few approaches try to simulate the effects in a multi-temporal way. Agent-based model (ABM) try to do exactly this, considering, in particular, the interactions among agents through a bottom-up approach. Aim of this research is to apply an ABM to a real case study in the San Salvario neighborhood in Turin (Italy), simulating a complex socio-economic-architectural adaptive system to study the temporal diffusion of energy requalification operations and the willingness of inhabitants to adopt different retrofit actions. The two applications were, firstly, built on acomputer grid environment and, then, integrated with GIS maps, in order to analyse the effects in the real distribution of buildings of San Salvario. Agents are designed to choose which system adopt, based on different theories of human behaviors. We discuss limitations of the current models and we suggest future directions of this research
Urban Ecosystem Services: A Review of Definitions and Classifications for the Identification of Future Research Perspectives
No full textThanks to many initiatives, such as the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA), The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) and EU target for 2020 on Biodiversity, the topic of ecosystem services has received even more attention both in the academic and political debate. On the contrary, the research on urban ecosystems and urban ecosystem services has yet been relatively modest compared to other ecosystems, like wetlands or forests. However, the relevance of topic requires more efforts in this field also because, in most cases, urban ecosystem services have been studied individually, without considering their role in governance and planning processes. In this context, the present paper has the aim at giving a perspective of the state of the art of the research on urban ecosystem services with a focus on the different definitions and classifications emerging from the literature, as well as of examples of indicators for their valuation. The work highlights the gaps in the research to support the definition of future research perspectives and analysis, in particular for the adoption of valuation approaches able to guide the decision-making process in urban areas and for ensuring the consideration of urban ecosystem services in spatial planning policies and actions
Planning Tools and University Cities: How Can Urban Regeneration be Driven by Students’ Growth? the Case of the City of Turin
No full textThe urban history of the city of Turin is significantly influenced by its industrial past, which has led to the existence of numerous brownfield sites that require regeneration. This research examines the interrelationship between urban regeneration and student growth in a post-industrial city. This relationship is investigated within the city's Strategic and Urban Plans, which provide the basis for the future urban planning. The two main universities in Turin, i.e. the Polytechnic and the University of Turin, have been identified as pivotal stakeholders in the processes of urban regeneration and economic development. This is due to two main factors: firstly, the growth of the student population has led to an increased demand for dedicated educational spaces; secondly, these institutions have the potential to exert influence over the city's planning decisions. The expansion of these entities in brownfield areas demonstrates how universities have reused these sites, thereby contributing to the dynamics of urban renewal and the revaluation of real estate assets. These dynamics have also impacted property values, increasing rental prices, particularly in neighbourhoods close to campuses. Within this context, strategic plans should be able to analyse the positive and negative effects of urban regeneration in view of the development of a new General city Plan
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