Evaluating Environmentally Sustainable Development Based on the PSR Framework and Variable Weigh Analytic Hierarchy Process | JoVE Visualize

Evaluating Environmentally Sustainable Development Based on the PSR Framework and Variable Weigh Analytic Hierarchy Process

Fan Wang¹, Yao Lu¹, Jin Li²

¹School of Accounting, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310018, China.

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health|April 3, 2021

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This study introduces a variable weight analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to better evaluate environmentally sustainable development. This dynamic approach improves upon traditional AHP by accounting for changing indicator importance over time or space.

Area of Science:

Environmental Science
Urban Planning
Regional Development

Background:

Environmentally sustainable development requires integrating economic, social, and environmental factors for regional balance.
Objectively assessing sustainable development is crucial for scholars and policymakers.
Existing methods may not adequately capture the dynamic nature of sustainable development indicators.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop an objective method for evaluating environmentally sustainable development.
To propose a novel approach for weighting sustainable development indicators that accounts for temporal and spatial variations.
To assess the sustainable development of cities using the proposed methodology.

Main Methods:

Utilized the pressure-state-response (PSR) framework to identify key indicators for sustainable development.
Introduced variable weight factors into the traditional analytic hierarchy process (AHP).
Developed and applied the variable weight analytic hierarchy process (VW-AHP) for indicator evaluation.

Main Results:

Identified three essential components for environmentally sustainable development indicators: pressure, state, and response.
Demonstrated that the variable weight analytic hierarchy process (VW-AHP) handles dynamic indicator changes more effectively than traditional AHP.
The proposed method better reflects the true states of indicators in evaluating urban sustainable development.

Conclusions:

Environmentally sustainable development indicators should encompass pressure, state, and response elements.
The variable weight analytic hierarchy process (VW-AHP) offers a superior method for dynamic assessment of sustainable development compared to traditional AHP.
This approach provides a more accurate reflection of regional sustainable development status.