Developing and Comparing Compensatory Multi-Criteria Decision Making Models for the Reservoir-dam Site Selection Based on Sustainable Development Criteria

Unsustainable dam construction causes an imbalance between water resources and environmental sustainability. Thus, it is crucial to observe the principles and criteria of sustainable development in dam construction, as one of the water supply methods. The variety and contradiction of these criteria together complicate the decision-making process of dam site selection. This requires Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) models to achieve sustainable development goal. In this study, the priority of the construction site of Kandoleh Dam in Kermanshah province was investigated using different techniques of the MCDM including Simple additive weighting, compromise programming and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). For this purpose, after determining the appropriate criteria with the help of studies and experts' opinions, group decision making was employed to determine the weight of the criteria by measuring the decision-makers' agreement. Then, the four proposed sites for the Kondoleh dam were ranked based on technical, economic, social, environmental criteria and relevant sub-criteria. Finally, the results were compared. In addition to determining the best site, 17 sub-criteria were also ranked for electing this site. Based on experts' opinions, the economic criterion was the most important in selecting a suitable site. The results of the AHP model are similar to the other two methods for ranking options. The present study provides a valid and inexpensive approach for decision-makers to identify the best dam construction site to achieve sustainable development goals.