Systems Dynamics and the Analytical Network Process for the Evaluation and Prioritization of Green Projects: Proposal That Involves Participative Integration

This research proposes a methodology for evaluating and prioritizing green projects based on an integrated approach between system dynamics modeling and the analytical network process. The methodology is presented in three stages: First of all, we show the citizen factors and obtain the data from the zone through community participation. Then, in the second stage, the model of system dynamics is consolidated and calibrated, which allows the generation of relevant information for experts by simulating model variables. In the third stage, considering the dependency and feedback relationships of the system, the model is translated to a complex network of many opinions which makes the decision making through peer review easier. The application of the methodology is presented using a case study undertaken in the California county that belongs to the Magdalena region in Colombia. The results allow to conclude that the proposed methodology makes the evaluation process and the prioritization of the projects easier because it is possible to advise the experts with respect to the variables that maximize investments and based on this select environmental initiatives that maximize investments and the environmental, social, or economic initiatives that best respond to the needs of the community. Likewise, we can demonstrate that the methodology can be applied to any rural community adjusting parameters and calibration variables to reflect the new conditions, both for natural resources and for particular policies and actions in such a way that the most appropriate project can be selected.

Automated summary

This research proposes an integrated approach for evaluating and prioritizing green projects using system dynamics modeling and the analytical network process. The methodology consists of three stages: obtaining citizen factors and data through community participation, consolidating and calibrating the system dynamics model to generate relevant information for experts, and translating the model into a complex network for decision making through peer review. The application of the methodology in a case study in Colombia demonstrates its effectiveness.