Title: Integrated spatial assessment for a creative decision-making process: a combined methodological approach to strategic environmental assessment

Authors: Maria Cerreta, Pasquale De Toro

Addresses: Department of Conservation of Architectural and Environmental Assets, University of Naples Federico II, Via Roma, 402, I-80132 Naples, Italy. ' Department of Conservation of Architectural and Environmental Assets, University of Naples Federico II, Via Roma, 402, I-80132 Naples, Italy

Abstract: Evaluation has a fundamental role in complex public choices aimed at obtaining a ranking among alternative options and designing new solutions. Starting from this perspective, the so-called |integrated assessments| – multidimensional tools for a dialogue among different approaches and fields of knowledge – play a privileged role as a suitable decision support tool for public participation at a territorial and urban planning level. Taking into account the concept of |integrated assessment|, the paper introduces the approach of |integrated spatial assessment| for territorial and urban planning. In recent years spatial analysis combined with multicriteria and multigroup methods has been used to support evaluation, especially in the field of land-use planning. By exploring the potentials of the integrated spatial assessment (ISA), it is possible to implement a multidimensional value-focused way of thinking, conceived as a path open to a |creative| decision-making process.

Keywords: integrated spatial assessment; multicriteria analysis; multi-group analysis; complex social value; strategic environmental assessment; creative decision making; decision support systems; DSS; public participation; territorial planning; urban planning; urban management; spatial analysis.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSD.2010.035096

International Journal of Sustainable Development, 2010 Vol.13 No.1/2, pp.17 - 30

Published online: 04 Sep 2010 *

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