Prioritization of Urban mobility infrastructure projects based on Urban configuration and on multidimensional scaling

Abstract

Purpose: This article aims to propose an alternative methodology of analysis, assessment, and prioritization of urban mobility master projects capable of supporting investment decision-making, considering financial, economic, and space variables. Originality/value: There are no clear criteria on project proposal selection, what corroborates the critics about the selection process and prioritization of urban mobility projects in the Ministry of Cities. Intrinsically economic issues that are leveled in recent methodologies of investment and project analyses are variables considered hard to be converted into financial benefits to make up the financial evaluation. Design/methodology/approach: The methodology proposed will draw on the multidimensional scaling as a multivariate assessment tool in order to evaluate and prioritize the projects using their economic variables, the spatial variables of the urban planning, and the financial models of each project. The economic variables arise from the economic analysis available in the projects, as well as the projects’ financing models. The spatial variables acquired from the social logic of space theory or spatial syntax allow the assessment of cities’ integration capacity before project implementation and after their development, making it possible to identify improvements in urban mobility conditions. Findings: The use of multidimensional scaling by applying economic, financial, and spatial variables has proved to be effective in promoting decision-making, whether by indicating the best project or identifying how close and/or distant they are from the objectives of a given public policy.