Technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (Topsis) for spatial decision problems

Abstract

Many decision tasks in disaster management are concerned with spatial patterns and spatial decision problems often require that a large number of feasible alternatives be evaluated based on multiple criteria. Although Geographical Information Systems (GIS) provide extensive spatial analysis and data visualization power to users, such systems offer a limited capacity for tackling complex spatial decision problems. Multi-criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) methods linked with GIS can be used to make such decisions. This paper focuses on the GIS-based Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method which is one of the most popular methods in MCDA. The TOPSIS method was implemented ArcObjects/VBA in ArcGIS environment as ArcGIS-TOPSIS tool and it was tested in a real-world situation for settlement site selection in Atakum-Samsun, Turkey. © Gi4DM 2011 - GeoInformation for Disaster Management.All right reserved.