Preference-based grey theory model and its application in waste disposal selection: a case study

Abstract

The smart city projects have been criticized for their technocratic approach, often seen as prioritizing technology over other essential aspects of society. The digital solutions developed by technology firms fail to address the needs of deprived and vulnerable communities in society because the dominating sociotechnical imaginary that emerges from outsourced solutions ends up ignoring localized ones. Using a preference-based model to address the crucial problem of choosing the right technology for waste treatment, the paper highlights the importance of taking into account a variety of imaginaries and urban futures when choosing a waste disposal method for urban local bodies. In order to reduce uncertainty in the choice of waste disposal methods in Indian cities, the paper suggests a method based on grey theory which is modified for preference-based analysis. This approach lessens the requirement for cost and benefit attributes by incorporating the significance of design criteria in decision-making. The approach is contrasted with earlier approaches and demonstrated with a waste disposal issue in Indore, India. For socio-technical transformations in cities to be successful, the study highlights the significance of localized solutions and diverse imaginaries. The approach that involves choosing and allocating weights to criteria is strongly supported by the quantitative methodology, which involves interviews with officials, NGOs, experts, citizens, and traders. � Indian Academy of Sciences 2024.