Assessment of the Challenges to Urban Sustainable Development Using an Interval-Valued Fermatean Fuzzy Approach

Abstract

Amidst the battle against sustainability challenges, global attention is increasingly directed towards urban development. A comprehensive review of current literature pertaining to urban sustainability indicates a swift upsurge in research concerning the development of cities, encompassing both developed and developing nations, all underscored by a strong commitment to sustainable progress. However, only a small fraction of this research presents a structured framework for systematically recognizing and investigating the diverse facets of urban sustainability, as well as for appropriately gauging and assessing them. The objective of this study is to evaluate the challenges associated with the attainment of sustainable urban development. An exhaustive examination of the available literature was undertaken to formulate a two-level criteria framework. The allocation of weights to these criteria was ascertained through the application of the interval-valued Fermatean fuzzy analytical hierarchy process methodology. The findings of the analysis unveiled that primary challenges to the development of urban sustainability encompass lack of water and improved sanitation, lack of solid waste management system, and threats to the attainment of the millennium development goals.