Abstract
This chapter aims at providing some insights on the usefulness of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) in the context of geographic multi-criteria analysis applied to GIS techniques for empirical applications. The increasing complexity in planning and programming applied to rural landscape and territories asks for multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches based on a holistic knowledge system. The AHP allows organizing in a hierarchic way both quantitative and qualitative information related to different disciplines, usually expressed in incommensurable measure units. Participatory approaches can be included either through information based on the perception of the value of indicators (criteria) or by providing weights on the relative importance of the elements included in each hierarchical level. When applied to GIS techniques, the AHP allows taking into account both spatial distribution of elements/information and their physical relations, which are paramount for the analysis of interventions about landscape, biodiversity, etc. This chapter illustrates four case studies from Tuscany Region (Italy) where this approach has been applied. Results highlight the flexibility of this approach in planning, programming and designing specific interventions where several biophysical characteristics of a territory or landscape have to be integrated with socioeconomic information both at territorial and farm levels. Results show that it is possible to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of tools for the territorial governance by applying a scientifically sound approach that does not ask for complex mathematical models and provides a methodology and results that can be understood also by “non-experts”, improving participation processes.
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Notes
- 1.
Through databases related to Common Agricultural Policy aid it is possible to individuate the cadastral parcels that are managed by each farm. Cadastral data refers to the Italian inventory of agricultural land (Catasto Terreni), where the elementary unit is a parcel of land belonging to the same Municipality, holder, category of agricultural utilization and class of productivity that is not divided by roads, rivers, railways, etc.
- 2.
The methodology applied for this case study is described in details in Candura (2005), although some improvements to the initial methodology have been introduced.
- 3.
VAM (Valori Agricoli Medi) are the average real estate prices for land with agricultural destination and have been mostly used in case of compulsory purchase, i.e. when a state or a national government takes private property for public use. They are individuated at provincial level.
- 4.
- 5.
This case study has as a main source (Rovai et al. 2013).
- 6.
This case study has as a main source (Rovai et al. 2016).
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Rovai, M., Andreoli, M. (2018). Integrating AHP and GIS Techniques for Rural Landscape and Agricultural Activities Planning. In: Berbel, J., Bournaris, T., Manos, B., Matsatsinis, N., Viaggi, D. (eds) Multicriteria Analysis in Agriculture. Multiple Criteria Decision Making. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-76929-5_3
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