Application of MCDM/MCDA methods in city rankings - review and comparative analysis

Abstract

The priority objective of this study is to identify the most popular MCDM/MCDA methods typically used to create city rankings and to conduct a comparative analysis of the selected methods. In the first part, a literature review was prepared, on the basis of which it was established that the following methods were most commonly used to assess cities: TOPSIS, AHP and PROMETHEE. In addition, the above city rankings usually pertained to the subject of sustainable development and the concept of smart city. In the subsequent empirical part, a ranking of Polish cities was created using PROMETHEE and TOPSIS methods, which enabled a comparative analysis of these methods; especially in terms of the algorithm, data selection, as well as the possibility of integration with other methods.