2025
MulticriteriaDecision Aid Methodologies
Name: MulticriteriaDecision Aid Methodologies
Code: PAO09804D
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area:
Geography
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
Decision processes related with Environmental, Landscape Planning and Nature Conservation are complex
due to the multiplicity and diversity of issues and questions to deal with. Also it is difficult to conciliate
different values and objectives expressed by different persons, institutions and others involved, most of the
times in conflict. What to do when a decision alternative is better in certain aspects but worst in some others?
How to find consensual and commitment solutions? The objective of the course is to provide students with the
necessary knowledge to embrace a comprehensive approach able to integrate ecological/environmental and
socio-economic perspectives, taking into account institutional and political issues as well. Also important is to
establish a common language that allows everyone involved to participate in a similar way. These objectives
will be achieved by the use of techniques and tools developed in the frame of Multicriteria Decision Aid
methodologies.
due to the multiplicity and diversity of issues and questions to deal with. Also it is difficult to conciliate
different values and objectives expressed by different persons, institutions and others involved, most of the
times in conflict. What to do when a decision alternative is better in certain aspects but worst in some others?
How to find consensual and commitment solutions? The objective of the course is to provide students with the
necessary knowledge to embrace a comprehensive approach able to integrate ecological/environmental and
socio-economic perspectives, taking into account institutional and political issues as well. Also important is to
establish a common language that allows everyone involved to participate in a similar way. These objectives
will be achieved by the use of techniques and tools developed in the frame of Multicriteria Decision Aid
methodologies.
Contents
a. Decision Aid Methods: importance to Nature Conservation and Environment. Relation with Landscape
Planning and Management and Sustainable Development; Sustainable Development as an objective of
Landscape Planning and Management
b. Environmental Policy; Nature Conservation and Landscape Planning Strategies in European Union. Their
integration in Portuguese policies.
c. National legal framework: Environmental Law, Landscape Planning and Urban Law; NATURA network;
Environmental Impact Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment
d. Multicriteria Decision Aid Methodologies. Participation, Interactivity and Simplicity. Cognitive aspects of
Decision processes. Multimethodology concept and practical application. Structuring: actors and actions.
Evaluation. Recommendations.
Planning and Management and Sustainable Development; Sustainable Development as an objective of
Landscape Planning and Management
b. Environmental Policy; Nature Conservation and Landscape Planning Strategies in European Union. Their
integration in Portuguese policies.
c. National legal framework: Environmental Law, Landscape Planning and Urban Law; NATURA network;
Environmental Impact Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment
d. Multicriteria Decision Aid Methodologies. Participation, Interactivity and Simplicity. Cognitive aspects of
Decision processes. Multimethodology concept and practical application. Structuring: actors and actions.
Evaluation. Recommendations.
Teaching Methods
The different subjects will be introduced by the teacher in an explanation way. At the same time students must
read some recommended articles for further discussion in the classroom. An active participation from the
students is required, making their statements, discussing their doubts or giving their opinion.
In the end of the semester students will apply their acquired knowledge in a practical work, a real or potential
decision process, on a small group (3-4 students), each one playing a different role. This work will be
presented and discussed in the classroom.
read some recommended articles for further discussion in the classroom. An active participation from the
students is required, making their statements, discussing their doubts or giving their opinion.
In the end of the semester students will apply their acquired knowledge in a practical work, a real or potential
decision process, on a small group (3-4 students), each one playing a different role. This work will be
presented and discussed in the classroom.
Accreditations and Certifications
