A Collaborative Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Framework for the Adaptive Reuse Design of Disused Railways

Abstract

With an increasing focus on sustainable development and the reuse of disused infrastructure, there is a pressing need for effective decision-making methods. This study explored the use of the PROMETHEE method within a collaborative decision-making framework to assess the adaptive reuse options for a disused railway in Sicily, Italy. Using a participatory paradigm, the research actively involves stakeholders in the assessment process. The collaborative PROMETHEE approach acts as a tool for multi-criteria decision analysis, facilitating the comparison and prioritization of different reuse alternatives based on predefined criteria. The research highlights the effectiveness of PROMETHEE in streamlining decision-making processes for adaptive reuse efforts, particularly in the context of integrated conversions of abandoned railways. By combining multi-criteria decision analysis with collaborative methods, the study contributed to the formulation of sustainable and socially responsible strategies for the valorization of disused railway infrastructure. The results underline the importance of collaborative decision-making processes and the instrumental role of PROMETHEE in assisting stakeholders in evaluating and selecting adaptive reuse options for disused railways, thereby, in turn, promoting the sustainable development of these sites.