Multiple criteria decision analysis with the SRF-II method to compare hypotheses of adaptive reuse for an iconic historical building

Abstract: The paper shows how Multiple Criteria Decision Aiding (MCDA) tools can support the analyses of six hypotheses of adaptive reuse of an iconic historical building in Turin, Italy (called Stock Exchange) to identify the preferred alternative. In the last two years, the debate around the requalification of the building has been huge for several reasons: it is perceived as a "monument" by citizens; it shows architectural and typological values nationally recognized; it involves public and private interests. In this context, interacting with experts involved in the ongoing discussion, we consider a recently proposed conjunction of four MCDA methods, namely: Multiple Criteria Hierarchy Process (MCHP), permitting to consider structural relationships between criteria; ELECTRE III, considering three types of interaction effects between criteria (strengthening, weakening and antagonistic effects); the imprecise SRF method, supplying an easily understandable approach to collect information from the DM; and Stochastic Multicriteria Acceptability Analysis (SMAA), providing robust recommendation, in terms of rankings and relations of preference, indifference and incomparability between project alternatives, at each level of the hierarchy. We propose a modification of the SRF methodology, called SFR-II, to increase the reliability of the decision aid procedure, which could constitute a significant advance for the same SRF method.