Historic port conservation multi-criteria evaluation based on AHP-TOPSIS: cases from the UK, Spain and China

Through the application of an AHP-TOPSIS multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method, this study assesses and compares approaches to heritage conservation strategies for historic ports in the UK (Liverpool), Spain (Cádiz) and China (Quanzhou). With a global importance in maritime history, these ports have seen the same pressures of modernity faced by other areas around the world. This study seeks to make a comparative assessment of the adaptive reuse potential of port heritage areas through combining expert opinions and quantitative analysis. The research proposes four main criteria — historical significance, architectural integrity, economic impact, and cultural engagement process, all of which developed by high-weight sub-criteria. Results emphasize regional variances in conservation practices shaped by local policies and socio-cultural contexts. This research provides an AHP-TOPSIS based framework for decision-makers who work in heritage conservation and which can be used as part in the sustainability of urban development.