LAUSR

Studies on regional development have generally focused on major cities, to the neglect of minor ones. In this research, a secondary city in Taiwan, namely Keelung, was selected as a case study for urban development assessment from the perspective of regional resource integration. This study combined the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method and analytic network process (ANP) to determine how dimensions influenced each other in Keelung and what their weights were. We used six dimensions that comprised 14 criteria. The adopted dimensions were economics, governance, society, physical environment, natural environment, and culture and creativity. On the basis of the DEMATEL-based ANP, experts considered the governance, economics, and society dimensions to be highly important and influential on the other dimensions. In elucidating the relationships between dimensions, our method allows policymakers to formulate holistic solutions rather than piecemeal ones. The satisfaction of experts and residents (who have expertise and considerable living experience in Keelung, respectively) with the current situation in Keelung regarding the dimensions and criteria was also determined.