Multicriteria Analysis for Selection of Sustainable Urban Drainage Techniques and Recommendation of their Spatial Allocation for the City of Itajubá – MG

Abstract

Objective - This study evaluated the applicability of the integration of multicriteria analysis methods with Geographic Information System tools to identify suitable locations for the implementation of sustainable drainage measures.

Methodology – The multicriteria analysis method known as Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) was employed alongside QGIS software to evaluate bioretention, detention basins, permeable pavements, individual reservoirs, and green/storage roofs in a case study conducted in the city of Itajubá, MG.

Originality/relevance – Decision-makers continue to face challenges in identifying optimal locations for implementing sustainable urban drainage techniques that account for technical and spatial constraints, posing a persistent barrier to their widespread adoption.

Results – It was observed that detention basins are more suitable for peripheral areas and individual reservoirs and green/storage roofs systems for urban areas. Bioretention was not very suitable for urban areas, due to space restrictions. The most influential criterion overall was “solid input”, except for the green/storage roof system, which prioritized the resident population.

Social and environmental contributions - This work provides a consolidated methodology for creating maps that can be used by decision makers to choose the most suitable locations for the application of sustainable urban drainage techniques, contributing to the reduction of flooding and diffuse pollution in urban centers.