An effective multiple criteria approach to infrastructure reconstruction in devastated countries

Abstract

Infrastruture facilities in many countries have been repeatedly subjected to natural or human-induced disasters. International aid institutions, such as the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), United States Aid International Development (USAID), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the World Bank International Aid Development (IDA), are endeavoring to assist in the reconstruction of devastated countries. Development institutions normally face the problem of selecting and implementing relevant priority infrastructure projects that are needed in various sectors. Usually there are also several key local players in the decision making process. In many cases, these main decision makers have contradictory objectives that lead to conflict and thereby hamper the reconstruction process. In response to this kind of problem, an effective approach has been developed within the field of Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA), the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), that can assist decision makers in prioritizing projects to meet specified goals and objectives. Using the AHP approach, the problem of selecting infrastructure projects is dealt with systematically when applying this flexible MCDA technique. This approach takes into account possible uncertainties and social discrepancies, and can use the judgments of the decision makers themselves when there is a lack of technical or historical data. Decision makers from international financial aid institutions, donor agencies, governmental and the local community can utilize this proposed approach.