Improving Flood Management Planning Decisions through Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis: A Case Study of Health and Safety Facility Management in Kelantan, Malaysia

This thesis investigates interactions in optimising Multicriteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) applications in flood decisions through interconnected studies, enhancing understanding of complex relationships and their implications.

Based on Systematic Literature Review (SLR) of MCDA application trend in water-related disaster management, Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) is the common technique employed. According to Disaster Management Phase, mitigation is the primary focus, highlighting gaps in other phases. Future exploration of its potential in other phases and feasibility of alternative techniques is suggested for beneficial practical application.

Chapter 3 focuses on criteria selection for FMP through experts’ interview and SLR. The Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental, and Legal (PESTEL) analysis framework clusters the criteria, identifying 40 final criteria as potential and trade-off factors. Integrated domains are less represented, suggesting a framework coupling MCDA and PESTEL for criteria selection in the future.

Building on 40 criteria identified, Chapter 4 analyses the criteria using AHP and Quadrant Matrix Analysis with experts. Results revealed the importance of complementing criteria importance and certainty for better decisions. The Weather Reflection model introduced enhances the proposed framework for criteria analysis, significantly benefiting decision-makers.

Chapter 5 explores integrating spatial and MCDA techniques as a Decision Support System (DSS). A conceptual framework with five phases facilitates DSS development is proposed, which is adaptable to various domains.

A DSS prototype developed in Chapter 6 based on previous chapter, which employed four MCDA techniques. Its functionality is assessed through case studies, determining feasible locations for future hospital buildings. The prototype’s acceptability is validated based on Content Validity Index (CVI) thresholds, thus aiding flood decision planning.

Collectively, these studies advance practical MCDA applications, offering actionable insights for decision-makers navigating MCDA challenges. By proposing frameworks for criteria selection, analysis, and DSS, and presenting a validated prototype, this thesis contributes to interdisciplinary knowledge, optimising MCDA in flood planning.