Prioritizing Local Agenda 21 Programmes using Analytic Network Process: A Spanish Case Study

Abstract

Provided that prioritisation of programmes is a key concern in Local Agenda 21 processes, the aim of this paper is to explore how the Analytic Network Process (ANP) can provide greater consistency and legitimacy to prioritisation of local action plans. Through the analysis of an experience in the municipality of Benetusser in Spain, the study shows how ANP, by modelling reality as a network of multiple and mutual interrelations, embraces complexity and translates it into a set of operational questionnaires that help participants to reflect on their preferences and deeply think on real implications of programmes. That way, the ANP procedure not only allows dealing with prioritisation in an organized and systematic way, but also enables reflective thinking on sustainable development and the role of Local Agenda 21 itself.

Perception of River Value in Education for Sustainable Development (The Vistula River, Poland)

“…These examples could be used as a reference to create various projects and social actions in cooperation with both local authorities and non‐governmental organizations. The results of the study on the perception of a river could help policy‐makers at local, regional and national levels to establish (a) directions for environmental policy for cities and districts at river banks (see, e.g., Adolfsson Jörby ; Chan, ; Ite, ; Dempsey et al . ; Peris et al ., ; Martin and Rice, ) and (b) definition and range of education for sustainable development. They could also provide an impulse for amplifying the river values that are not commonly recognized by local society.…”

Application of the ANP to the prioritization of project stakeholders in the context of responsible research and innovation

“…For this reason, the use of the ANP is proposed because it develops a better representation of the complex interactions, interdependencies and feedback relationships among the different components of problems like those of RRI (Saaty and Peniwati 2008;Sipahi and Timor 2010;Botero et al 2015;De Lotto et al 2016;Shiau and Chuen-Yu 2016;Wu and Cui 2016). This way, besides, it avoids the compensation problem of other models (Peris et al 2013). A problem is modelled as a structure or network system composed of different elements (criteria and alternatives), grouped in clusters and connected to each other by influences among them.…”

A Multicriteria Model to Evaluate Strategic Plans for the Nautical and Naval Industry in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia

“…It allows for more complex, interdependent and feedback relationships between the elements of a hierarchy [41], thus avoiding the compensation problem of other models [42]. It constitutes a problem in a structure or network system composed of different elements (criteria and alternatives), grouped in clusters and connected to each other in any possible way.…”

“…Some recent applications of ANP to the field of sustainable development are found in strategic policy planning [42,51,52]; evaluation of strategies for urban sustainable planning [53]; environmental assessment tools of sustainability strategies [30,54]; development of an indicator system for measuring the social sustainability [45]; environmental pressure assessment [55]; sustainable tourism development [56]; sustainable forest management [57]; regional sustainability assessment [43]; or sustainable development of housing communities [58].…”