FACTORS INFLUENCING URBAN INVESTMENT ATTRACTIVENESS: AN FCM-SD APPROACH

RANKING RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS BASED ON THEIR SUSTAINABILITY: A CM-BWM APPROACH

Population growth and rapid urbanization have consequences that are reflected in the economic, environmental, and social stability of city-residential neighborhoods. These impacts directly affect not only residents but also real estate markets and local governments. The professionals working in the latter entities have become increasingly concerned about urban sustainability and its strategic integration into their plans. Strategies have been implemented that focus on both addressing negative aspects of residential neighborhoods and enhancing positive features that can contribute to the continuous improvement of locals’ living conditions. This study applies the multiple-criteria decision analysis approach and a combination of cognitive mapping and the best-worst method (BWM) to identify the most relevant criteria and use these to rank residential neighborhoods according to their sustainability. To apply the selected techniques, two group meetings were held with a panel of decision makers. The results were validated by the panel members and the Funchal City Council councilor for urbanism, who concurred that the proposed ranking system facilitates the identification of the most sustainable residential neighborhoods. The contributions and limitations of the methodological approach are also discussed.

Analyzing causes of urban blight using cognitive mapping and DEMATEL

Blight is a concept not commonly discussed. However, blight is a problem that exists in the lives of many people, especially if they reside in urban areas. Blight originates whenever properties are neglected, contributing to both a functional and social depreciation process and ultimately leading to uninhabitable dwellings. Despite being blighted, these properties and surrounding neighborhoods often are occupied by families who fail to have sufficient income to afford residences that meet minimum standards or to live in neighborhoods free from drug trafficking and prostitution or other forms of crime. Blight may spread rapidly, thus, experts must, in a timely manner, analyze its causes, which are essential to preventing and mitigating blight problems. The purpose of this study is to seek an understanding of blight and identify its causal factors. The generic methods commonly applied in previous blight research present limitations that this study aims to overcome by using cognitive mapping and the decision making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) technique. This dual methodology provides a more transparent and less restrictive approach for analyzing and complying with the dynamics of cause-and-effect relationships among variables. Group debate involving a panel of specialists in this field identified six causation clusters based on the experts' experience and knowledge. The resulting framework and its application were validated both by these specialists and the head of the Territorial and Environmental Assessment and Monitoring Division of Cascais City Council Strategic Planning Department, Portugal.

BUILDING A STRATEGIC PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT MODEL FOR ENTERPRISES INVESTING TO COASTAL URBAN PROJECTS TOWARD SUSTAINABILITY

In addition to the sustainable development of coastal areas, the success of local corporations investing in coastal urban projects is significantly affected by severe sea level rises and extreme disasters. Investment companies should plan which objectives need to target to reduce uncertainty in the early project stages, track project execution, and assess project output as projects complete the construction phase and start operational activities. To assist enterprises in planning, evaluating, and monitoring project performance aligning with vision and strategy, this study contributes a strategic management tool developed by integrating the Balanced Scorecard (BSC), Analytic Network Process (ANP), and Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) methods. A case study of a well-known investment corporation in Vietnam illustrates the research approach. This research appreciated stakeholder’s satisfaction as the main consequence and human resource as the most prominent cause of coastal urban projects. Furthermore, the proposed model for Vietnam in this study could be referred by other developing countries to facilitate companies to plan, measure, evaluate, and control the organizational performances for the coastal urban project success.