Integrating interval-valued multi-granular 2-tuple linguistic BWM-CODAS approach with target-based attributes: Site selection for a construction project

Highlights

• A novel hybrid approach to tackle a site selection problem was proposed.

• The CODAS-TB method was extended based on interval-valued multi-granular 2-tuple linguistics.

• The ITL-CODAS-TB approach was extended by combining it with the Best-Worst-Method.

• A site selection problem of a shopping mall in Tehran, Iran was investigated.

• The optimal solution of the current study is same as the selected area by policymakers.

Abstract

The site selection procedure for mega-structure projects can be an effective tool that could considerably improve the amount of income generation potential. Evidently, selecting the optimal location to establish a shopping center in a metropolitan area of Tehran, Iran is challenging due to the complexity of several conflicting evaluation criteria as well as multiple alternatives. Moreover, the site selection process of a mega-structure project can be viewed as a multiple attribute decision making (MADM) problem. Additionally, in such complex environments decision-makers and policy-makers usually might utilize linguistic terms to evaluate different alternatives with respect to multiple evaluation criteria according to their experience, qualifications, and preferences. Moreover, in real-world decision-making assessment problems, decision-makers tend to assign specific target-values for the selection attributes to obtain their optimal choices. In response, this study solves a site selection problem using a hybrid multi-granular interval-valued 2-tuple linguistic variables and target-valued criteria with the Best-Worst Method (BWM) and COmbinative Distance-based ASsessment (CODAS). Using the suggested hybrid MADM approach can results in an optimal and comprehensive site selection process without information loss. Finally, the outcomes of the current study show that the proposed target-based method is an optimal technique for such decision-making problems.

Introduction

With the recent expansion of global urbanization along with the double pressure of fast economic development, a vigorous and responsive plan is an inevitable part of every functioning organization. In addition to organizational strategies, the concept of sustainable cities has gained extensive attention (Macomber, 2013). It is just a fact that one of the core attentions of the sustainable development concept is focused on cities and rural areas (Hashemkhani Zolfani & Zavadskas, 2013). The past recent decades have witnessed the rising of large development projects i.e. mega-projects, such as shopping malls, all around the world in cities and urban areas. Establishment of shopping malls based on the global trends caused a massive paradigm shift in the role they play in people’s lives. Nowadays when consumers visit shopping malls, they are not only looking for traditional shopping but also looking for new experiences. Moreover, in many urban planning activities in different cities all around the world, multiple preferences such as sustainability concerns are imposed on shopping mall investors. These concerns made it easy for consumers who prefer to live, shop and work all within specific areas as a replacement for having to drive to a crowded suburban shopping area.

This only means that selecting the ideal site and location for a shopping mall is not only a concern of their stakeholders, but also it will obviously influence the attitude of its consumers and their associated preferences. Selecting the ideal site and location of a shopping mall is commonly conducted by the infra-structure organizations which ordinarily have to be approved by municipalities in charge of the construction network and policies. Moreover, selecting an optimal site for mega-projects such as shopping malls are recognized as complex decision-making problems which could extensively affect the outlook of a specific area in regard to both urban context and business productivity. Consequently, a site selection of any kind to establish a new facility is a complex multiple attribute decision making (MADM) problem which includes multiple locations and settings as alternatives (Liu et al., 2019, Rikalovic et al., 2018). Many studies have employed MADM methods in site selection problem in various research areas (Deveci et al., 2018, Wu et al., 2018). In addition to the classic site selection problem, in the past recent years, many studies have witnessed increasing attention to the land suitability evaluation (LSE) analysis utilizing many approaches such as MADM methods to determine the suitability of lands in different location assessment problems (Jamil et al., 2018, Kim and Shim, 2018).

Although there are some differences in land suitability evaluation and the classic site selection problem, the core objective function of both investigations is for evaluation and selection of the optimal location and site settings. Overviewing the previous literature of the site selection problem and LSE analysis shows that there are quite a lot of studies utilized such methodologies in location assessment problem in various areas (Deveci, 2018, Teniwut et al., 2019). Moreover, investigation of applications of MADM methods in LSE and site selection shows a vast amount of research studies that used methods such as Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) (Al Garni and Awasthi, 2017, Cheng et al., 2005, Cheng et al., 2007, Darani et al., 2018, Kabak et al., 2018), Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) (Deveci et al., 2018, Erbaş et al., 2018), and Vlse Kriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) (Cui et al., 2018, Wu et al., 2018).

Many others applied a different kind of MADM approaches to such LSE and site selection problems. Zavadskas, Turskis, and Bagočius (2015) suggested a combination of AHP and Fuzzy Ratio Assessment (ARAS-F) methods in a selection of a deep-water port in the Eastern Baltic Sea. Liu et al. (2018) applied a hybrid method integrating a grey decision making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) and uncertain linguistic multi-objective optimization by ratio analysis plus full multiplicative form (UL-MULTIMOORA) methods in a location planning of electric vehicle charging stations. Although there are many research studies that investigated site selection problem within various areas of study, only a few research papers have used MADM methods for site selection of shopping centers (Önüt et al., 2010, Turskis et al., 2015). For example, Önüt et al. (Önüt et al., 2010) presented an application of integrated fuzzy AHP with fuzzy TOPSIS methods in a site selection problem to evaluate potential locations for a shopping center in Istanbul, Turkey.

None of the previous studies have conducted a site selection investigation for a shopping center as a mega-project based on the application of a hybrid novel MCDM method utilizing target-based attributes along with interval-valued 2-tuple linguistic sets in Tehran, Iran. Specifically, not a single study has applied a target-based normalization technique as well as interval-valued 2-tuple linguistic sets simultaneously to develop a MADM approach. It is worth mentioning that the contributions of the current study are not narrowed down to only theoretical applications, but also this study is the only research paper that has investigated a site selection problem for a metropolitan area in Iran that investigated the optimal location for a shopping center.

In the current study, integration of the interval-valued 2-tuple linguistic sets with a combination of the best-worst method (BWM) and the COmbinative Distance-based ASsessment (CODAS) with target-valued criteria is applied in a site selection problem investigating the optimal location for a shopping mall project in Tehran, Iran. The main reason that this study employs a target-based normalization technique is to comprehend both benefit and cost criteria as well as target values and preferences of decision-makers for each criterion. One of the noticeable research gaps in the previous literature of the site selection problem is that in real-world scenarios policymaker need to assign objectives for the evaluating criteria. In response to this gap, the BWM-CODAS approach in the current study has been adopted a target-based normalization to comprehend such target-valued attributes. It is worth mentioning that, none of the previous studies have used the combination of the BWM-CODAS method with the suggested settings in any similar complex problem such as site selection. While BWM facilitates and avoids inconsistencies in the pairwise comparison, CODAS method is a straightforward approach with low computational time and mathematical calculation which is practical in real-world situations. Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that in this study along with the interval-valued 2-tuple linguistic sets, a multi-granular approach have has been utilized with the proposed methodology for the robustness of the decision-making procedure.

Moreover, the project descriptions and explanations of the current investigation have been provided by a multinational cross-industrial organization in Iran with the leading activities in mega-construction infrastructures. It is also important to mention that the proposed criteria of the current study have been gathered based on previous literature along with expert comments regarding the sustainability perspectives as well as managerial attributes and geotechnical properties of the alternative locations. Eventually, based on the outcomes of the proposed methodology, this approach showed that it is an operational and practical technique for evaluation and assessment of the site selection problem.

The remainder of this study is organized as follows: Section 2 provides a brief overview of crisp BWM and CODAS method along with fundamentals of 2-tuple linguistic variables and interval-valued 2-tuple linguistic variables. Additionally, the proposed novel hybrid methodology utilized in this study integrating interval-valued 2-tuple linguistic BWM-CODAS with target-based criteria is proposed in Section 3. Furthermore, Section 4 demonstrates a case-study on a site selection problem regarding the construction of a shopping mall in Tehran, Iran using the suggested method. Ultimately, the final conclusions and clarifications, as well as guidelines for future studies, are presented in Section 5.