GIS-based multicriteria evaluation for investment environment

Traditional investment environment evaluation focuses on macrofactors, factors such as government stability, restrictions, and red tape. The introduction of GIS into this field provides investors and local government decisionmakers with more specific information on investment location. In this paper, a GIS-based multicriteria evaluation support system for investment evaluation is presented. The aim of the system is to develop an analysis environment to support various investment researchers and investors and to allow users with different experiences to find their own answers, which may vary. Criterion definition, management, evaluation scenario management, and user interface are four essential components of such a system. The support system is integrated with a GIS software package through a computer network facility. A case study on the Nanchang - Jiujiang industrial corridor is carried out to test the flexibility of the system.