Participation in multi-criteria decision support for the resolution of a water allocation problem in the Spree River basin

This article presents an integrated methodological approach (IMA) for participatory multi-criteria decision support under uncertainty , which emerged from the debates about participation, multi-criteria analysis (MCA) and benefit–cost analysis (BCA). It provides a framework for participatory evaluation processes and combines BCA and MCA to support large-scale public decisions. While IMA does not claim to realise an all-inclusive participation scheme, it offers the advantage to improve the quality of decision making through advances in competence and fairness. Its practical application with emphasis on its participatory elements is demonstrated by the case study on the water allocation conflict in the watershed of the German Spree River.