Sustainability Model to Select Optimal Site Location for Temporary Housing Units: Combining GIS and the MIVES–Knapsack Model

Selecting the best site location for temporary housing (TH) is one of the most critical decision-making processes in the aftermath of disasters. Many spatial variables and multi-criteria indicator problems are involved in the decision-making analysis. Incorrect treatment of these components often led to failure in previous post-disaster recovery programmes. Wrong decisions caused short- and long-term negative impacts on the environment and people as well as wasting capital spending. In this regard, this research paper aims to present a novel multi-criteria decision-making approach that helps decision makers select optimal site locations to consider spatial and sustainability-related aims by assessing numerous alternatives. This new model is based on combining a knapsack algorithm and the integrated value model for sustainability assessment (MIVES) to derive optimal alternatives. This model makes it possible to objectively quantify sustainability indicators (economic, environmental, and social aspects) and derive satisfaction indices for each site (or set of sites) in terms of TH location. The model is designed to receive and filter data from a geographic information system (GIS). Using this model in future post-disaster recovery programs is believed to increase stakeholders’ satisfaction and maximise the sustainability associated with the selection.