A Multi-dimensional Decision-Making Process for Regenerative Landscapes: A New Harbour for Naples (Italy)

Abstract

The paper aims at testing an evaluative methodology for choosing the best-fit alternative of sustainable development for a complex urban context, stressing advantages and limitations in using Analytic Network Process (ANP) multi-criteria method to rank sustainability indicators, that have been conceived as the criteria - in meaning of control parameters - through which alternatives comparison has been carried out. The proposed methodology highlighted the relationships between the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and the place-based issues in order to define a first step to operationalize the United Nation guidelines, adopting a cross-scale, multi-dimensional and goal-focused approach. The methodology has been tested on the area of interest which is localized in the eastern part of the Gulf of Naples, in Italy, and falls within the VI District of the City, including “San Giovanni a Teduccio” neighbourhood. The impact assessment that the design of new harbour will have on surrounding urban districts and the city, in social, economic and environmental terms, is the main issue underpinning the decision-making problem structuring. Sustainability indicators have been selected from different sources recognized from literature and national and international databases. Thus, each indicator has been categorized, processed and assessed for the focus area by comparing the current scenario with two alternatives development strategies for landscape regeneration.