A grey fuzzy multiobjective programming approach for the optimal planning of a reservoir watershed. Part A: Theoretical development

The conflict among environmental and economic goals is a constant problem that always bothers the decision makers in regional planning. Besides, the uncertainties regarding the fuzzy goals in decision making and the impreciseness of parameter values in a system always create additional difficulties in management planning and analysis. This paper develops a new approach, a grey fuzzy multiobjective linear programming (GFMOLP) method, for the evaluation of sustainable management strategies for systems analysis. In particular, it demonstrates how uncertain messages of the planning objectives can be quantified by specific membership functions and combined through the use of grey numbers in a multiobjective analytical framework. It is verified that such an approach can successfully reflect system complexity and generate more flexible and robust management policies.