Variable-Weight Suitability Evaluation of Underground Space Development Considering Socioeconomic Factors

Zhaoliang Peng, Yu Zhang, Fei Tan (), Jiahe Lv and Lianghui Li
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Zhaoliang Peng: Faculty of Engineering, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430079, China
Yu Zhang: Faculty of Engineering, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430079, China
Fei Tan: Faculty of Engineering, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430079, China
Jiahe Lv: Faculty of Engineering, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430079, China
Lianghui Li: Shenzhen Geotechnical Investigation & Surveying Institute (Group) Co., Ltd., Shenzhen 518028, China

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 4, 1-20

Abstract: The suitability evaluation of urban underground space (UUS) development can aid in making the planning, construction, and operation management of underground spaces more scientific, orderly and systematic. Taking the starting area of Changjiang New Town as an example, this study considered socioeconomic factors as a crucial cost indicator in the suitability evaluation index system of underground space development, and 15 evaluation factors affecting underground space utilization were selected in combination with geological environment conditions. The subjective weights of each evaluation factor were calculated using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), and variable-weight theory was introduced to calculate the comprehensive variable weights. The comprehensive variable weights were modified, taking socioeconomic factors into consideration, so as to quantitatively evaluate the development suitability of underground space in the research area. A comparison between the evaluation results of the constant-weight and variable-weight methods showed that the latter can correct the efficaciously determined subjective weight using the AHP and make the evaluation result more scientific and reasonable. A comprehensive consideration of the impact of socioeconomic factors on development costs and benefits made the evaluation results more instructive. The evaluation results showed that the area with the best suitability for underground space development in the study area accounted for approximately 18.6%, and the second-best suitable area accounts for approximately 60.8%. Hence, the development prospect of the study area is good.

Keywords: underground space; suitability evaluation; variable-weight theory; socioeconomics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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