ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses the spatial aspects of multiobjective decision problems. It explores the possibilities of using multicriteria methods and geographic information systems (GIS) jointly for decision support. The spatial element in objectives occurs when the objectives relate to spatial units. An explicitly spatial objective occurs when in a multiobjective method it matters for the final outcome according to a certain objective how the various zones score for that objective. Geographical information systems have become an important tool for decision support in problems with a spatial dimension. In the case of an explicitly spatial alternative, the decision variables have a spatial dimension. The combination of multicriteria methods and GIS is an important way to produce policy relevant information about spatial decision problems to decision makers. A real integration of GIS and multicriteria analysis would imply the use of more general and flexible tools for the joint aggregation across criteria and zones.
