Application of AHP - TOPSIS for determining priority solutions in provincial air quality management: A case study of Vinh Phuc province, Vietnam

Abstract

Vinh Phuc Province is experiencing increased air pollution due to rapid urbanization and industrialization, with industrial activities and traffic being the primary contributors. To achieve sustainable economic growth, it is essential to propose effective air pollution control strategies that align with the province's socioeconomic development status and budget. These methods should also be prioritized to enable authorities in Vinh Phuc to make urgent decisions while formulating a long - term strategy for effective air quality management (AQM). This study aims to develop a method for determining priority solutions for AQM in Vinh Phuc Province, Vietnam, by applying the AHP - TOPSIS multi - criteria analysis method ( Analytic Hierarchy Process - Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution ) . The AHP method is utilized for pairwise comparison to establish a criteria set for evaluating priority solutions. TOPSIS is then applied to rank AQM solutions based on their proximity to ideal positive and negative alternatives using closeness coefficients. The proposed solutions, classified into four groups - management, technical, economic, and communication - are based on emission sources. The primary criteria for Vinh Phuc Province include community health (weight 0. 20 ) , emission and greenhouse gas reduction potential (0.15), and investment cost (0.1 3 ). Results indicate that management and technical solutions are the priority AQM methods, as they offer high feasibility and address the province’s urgent needs. These findings align with the current status of AQM and the socio - economic development goals of Vinh Phuc Province .