A fuzzy multicriteria analysis approach to the optimal use of reserved land for agriculture

This paper presents a multicriteria analysis (MA) approach to solve the problem of the optimal use of reserved land for agriculture involving multiple criteria and subjective assessments. Linguistic terms approximated by fuzzy numbers are used to adequately model the subjectiveness and imprecision of the decision making process. The degree of similarity between fuzzy numbers is used to calculate the overall performance index for each alternative across all criteria based on the concept of fuzzy ideal solution. As a result, the unreliable and often computationally demanding process of comparing fuzzy utilities usually required in fuzzy MA is avoided, and effective decisions can be made. A case study in Shanghai, China is presented that shows the fuzzy MA approach developed is efficient in computation, simple and comprehensible in concept, and practical in solving this kind of problems.