NAIADE: using multi-criteria analysis to address water issues

Introduction

NAIADE is a multi-criteria analysis tool applied within a broader social multi-criteria evaluation (SMCE) method that combines quantitative and qualitative information through participatory processes to support decision-making. In 2000, NAIADE was applied to address the perceived problem of under-exploitation of the potential availability of water resources in the town of Troina (eastern Sicily, Italy), through an analysis of different possible alternatives for action to
 help
 the
 local
 town
 administration. This approach has proven very effective for discussing multiple preferences and points of view from different stakeholder groups and finding out whether some real social compromise solutions exist.

The
 analysis 
conducted 
with 
NAIADE/SMCE 
consisted
 of:


1. A
 multi‐criteria
 evaluation
 used
 as
 a
 learning
 tool
 to
 understand
 the
 main
structure
of
the
problem
at
hand
and
to
explore
its
qualitative
dimensions;

2. An
 analysis
 of
 the
 structure
 of
 power
 interests
 and
 stakeholders
 (ranging
 from
local
to
regional
social
actors)
by
means
of 
an 
institutional 
analysis;


3. A
 field
 research
 involving
 in‐depth
 interviews
 with
 key
 actors,
 and
 a
 survey
 of
local
residents.



This 
approach 
has
 proven 
very
 effective 
for
 discussing 
multiple
 preferences 
and
 points 
of
 view
 from
 different
 stakeholder
 groups
 and
 finding
 out
 whether
 some
 real
 social
 compromise
 solutions
 exist. 
By
doing 
so, 
this 
tool
 proved
 to
 be 
a 
helpful
 way
 to
 deal
 with
 heterogeneity
 in
 the
 unit
 of
 analysis
 represented
 in
 this
 example
 by
 several
 stakeholder
 groups
 with 
distinct
 priorities 
and 
needs
 in
 relation 
to 
water
resources.


• Read more about NAIADE on weADAPT

• Review of the tool NAIADE/SMCE
• NAIADE Manual