Multi-Criteria Evaluation for China Low-Impact Development Based on Principal Component Analysis

Abstract

Multiple benefit evaluation may become complicated due to varied and unquantifiable indicators. This study presents a multicriteria approach to evaluate Low Impact Development (LID) performance through an aggregation of principal component analysis and correlation analysis (PCCA). The approach is based on the rule of triple bottom line and complies with the China-specific planning land-use type and site-specific hydrologic and hydrologic condition. The quantitative indicators are coupled with the Stormwater Management Model (SWMM) software and filed investigation; the qualitative indicators are valued by a numerical unit system that converts the level of importance to numbers 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1. The results indicate that the PCCA approach could evaluate the LID performance with fewer dimensions of variables based on environmental, economic and social concerns comprehensively. The principal components concentrated on three streams: (1) runoff quantity and quality control; (2) minimize cost and improve robustness; and (3) improve system management and aesthetic enhancement. Taken together, these streams match the objective of sponge city construction with LID techniques. The PCCA approach is a multicriteria decision-aid tool that helps the decision maker choose the appropriate LID technique.

Framework, Procedure, and Tools for Comprehensive Evaluation of Sustainable Stormwater Management: A Review

“…When valuing the selected indicators, different measuring units need to be normalised. Common normalisation methods for MCA include linear scale method, vector normalisation and extreme value method [53]. Another approach is benefit cost analysis (BCA) which assigns monetary values to each indicator and predicts the net present value of the proposed investment throughout the lifespan.…”

“…Scholars from various countries also worked on comprehensive evaluation of SSWM. Li et al [53,54] proposed comprehensive benefit evaluation systems for SCC based on principal component analysis method and analytic hierarchy process, respectively. They classified the evaluation indicators into three aspects which were the environmental, economic and social benefits, under each of which corresponding sub-indicators were included to guide decision makers in choosing the most appropriate SSWM measures.…”

Mathematical Optimization Method of Low-Impact Development Layout in the Sponge City

“…However, according to the assessment standard for the effect of sponge city construction, assessment requirements have been formulated from various aspects such as runoff volume, peak runoff, and pollutant. It is necessary to consider many (more than three) objectives during LID practices design [22]. erefore, the problem of reasonable layout of LIDs is transformed into a many-objective optimization problem (MOOP).…”