Determination of “stable” trajectories of integrated regional development using fuzzy decision models

The determination of regional development policies is discussed. The development proceeds in terms of life-quality indicators: social, economic, environmental, and infrastructural. An evaluation is made with respect to effectiveness and stability. Effectiveness is determined by how well constraints on the consecutive investments are applied and on how well goals relating to the resulting life-quality indicators and the corresponding social satisfactions are fulfilled. Stability is shown by how smoothly the basic development indicators evolve. To deal with an inherent softness, a fuzzy decision model is proposed. An optimal development policy is sought that best satisfies the effectiveness and stability requirements.