A Literature Review of MADM Applications for Site Selection Problems — One Decade Review from 2011 to 2020

Abstract

Site selection is a multi-dimensional optimization problem that influences a wide variety of stakeholders from local communities and authorities to governments, environmental protection agencies, etc. Locating an energy project as well as transportation infrastructure projects, for instance, are of great strategic importance and are connected to the top-level regulations and policy levels. These problems are significant from strategic levels to the productivity of a single construction project level, from energy to transportation and from infrastructure to residential buildings. A large number of publications in this field of study prove this significance. However, regarding the variety of applications, managerial decision levels, and the growing number of studies, it is important to comprehend the latest trends and conclude an appropriate research path in this field. This study is mainly focused on the application of MADM methodologies on locating problems by which many studies are carried out and have a high coincidence with the locating problem environment. Consequently, 425 studies are considered in this study, and 217 more relevant papers are selected for the subsequent reviews. Based on the results, Energy projects are by far the most frequent field of study in this regard which are considered as renewable and nonrenewable categories. Also, environmental planning and sustainable site selection are of secondary importance.