A spatial multi-objective decision-making under uncertainty for water resources management

Abstract

Water resources decision-making is a spatial problem. Topographical features of the region, location of water resources management infrastructure, interaction between the water resources system and other social and ecological systems and impact of different water resources regulation measures are all variables with considerable spatial variability. In this paper a new technique called Spatial Fuzzy Compromise Programming (SFCP) is developed to enhance our ability to address different uncertainties in spatial water resources decision-making. A general fuzzy compromise programming technique, when made spatially distributed, proved to be a powerful and flexible addition to the list of techniques available for decision-making where multiple criteria are used to evaluate multiple alternatives. All uncertain variables (subjective and objective) are modeled by way of fuzzy sets. Through a case study of the Red River floodplain near the City of St. Adolphe in Manitoba, Canada, it has been illustrated that the new technique provides measurable improvement in the management of floods.