ORIGINAL RESEARCH
On the Selection and Quantification of Factors
Influencing Sustainable Regional Development
More details
Hide details
1
University of Niš, University Square 2, 18000 Niš, Republic of Serbia
2
Applied Research Division, International Clean Water Institute Manassas, 20108-0258, VA, USA, and Institute
of Electronic Engineering and Nanotechnologies, “D.GHITU” of Technical University of Moldova,
Academiei 3/3, Chisinau MD 2028 Moldova
3
University of Niš, Faculty of Occupational Safety, Čarnojevića 10a, 18000 Niš, Republic of Serbia
Submission date: 2023-11-24
Final revision date: 2024-05-30
Acceptance date: 2024-07-13
Online publication date: 2024-11-06
Corresponding author
Dejan Vasović
University of Niš, Faculty of Occupational Safety, Čarnojevića 10a, 18000 Niš, Republic of Serbia
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Successful regional development involves the establishment of a sustainable system between
natural resources and economic and social challenges confronting the population of a particular area.
There are numerous criteria that define these relationships, which can be expressed quantitatively and
qualitatively. For a more reliable analysis concerning regional development, mathematical models have
been developed based on their quantification and the analysis of multiple criteria to obtain alternative
solutions in quantitative form, suitable for a more accurate assessment and ranking in accordance with
the advantages and priority of application. This paper provides a model of the choice and quantification
of factors that affect the development of the Toplica District, an area with considerable natural resources
and a significant lag in its overall development. The objective of this investigation is to evaluate and
rank the dominant factors that influence the development of the region under investigation in terms
of natural factors (soil, water…), human factors (demographic, qualification, education…), economic
factors (agriculture, tourism…), social factors (infrastructure, health…), and environmental factors
(land, forest…). The methodology presented here can be used in a modified form for an analogous
assessment of the development factors of any other region with similar natural and anthropogenic
characteristics.