A Goal-Programming Model for Industrial Location Involving Environmental Considerations

This paper presents an application of goal programming to the planning of industrial location in the context of air-pollution policy. Goal programming is a modification of linear programming designed to solve problems characterized by a large number of conflicting objectives. The solution is obtained by expressing all objectives as constraints and minimizing the deviation of the allocation from the respective targets and standards. If lexicographic ordering of objectives prevails, the constraints can be introduced in order of their importance. The paper first discusses the theoretical basis for goal programming and then presents the mathematical formulation and the numerical evaluation of a hypothetical industrial-location problem. Finally, goal programming is evaluated for its implications for environmental planning.