2024
Methodologies for Decision Support
Name: Methodologies for Decision Support
Code: PAO12329M
3 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/78 hours
Scientific Area:
Landscape and Planning Sciences
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English
Regime de Frequência: Presencial
Presentation
The course is based on SD principles and aims is to provide competences to embrace a comprehensive approach of ecological/environmental, socio-economic, institutional and political perspectives.
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 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. Portuguese policies. Environmental Law, Soil, Landscape Planning and Urban Law; Protected areas
network.
c. Methodologies for Decision Support. 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. Portuguese policies. Environmental Law, Soil, Landscape Planning and Urban Law; Protected areas
network.
c. Methodologies for Decision Support. 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.
Evaluation system:
1. Continuous assessment:
a) a practical work (70% of the final grade), where students (groups of 2-3 students) must apply the acquired knowledge to a real or fictitious decision situation. Each student will play a different role. This work will be presented and discussed in class;
b) an individual monograph or an individual review of an article (30% of the final grade) on a topic to be defined each year.
2. Final assessment: individual work, similar to the work developed in groups in the continuous assessment regime (100% of the final grade).
Evaluation system:
1. Continuous assessment:
a) a practical work (70% of the final grade), where students (groups of 2-3 students) must apply the acquired knowledge to a real or fictitious decision situation. Each student will play a different role. This work will be presented and discussed in class;
b) an individual monograph or an individual review of an article (30% of the final grade) on a topic to be defined each year.
2. Final assessment: individual work, similar to the work developed in groups in the continuous assessment regime (100% of the final grade).
Teaching Staff (2023/2024 )
- Isabel Alexandra Joaquina Ramos [responsible]
