Can socially sustainable development be achieved through homestead withdrawal? A hybrid multiple-attributes decision analysis

Abstract Achieving sustainable rural development is essential for countries worldwide to balance between urban and areas; especially, social crucial. In the face of rapid urbanization in China, withdrawal homesteads (WRH) has become core policy attaining development. Compared with literature that focuses on economic or environmental impacts policy, few studies have evaluated how sustainability accomplished through such land-reform policies. Given consensus exploring emphasizes complex causal relationships multiple dimensions, assessment models must further consider interdependencies. Based Chinese expertise perspective, this study proposes a hybrid multi-attribute decision analysis model evaluate contribution WRH policies toward sustainability. First, Delphi method was used build evaluation criteria covering four dimensions—the socio-ecological environment, welfare, equity, inclusion—and 20 were based existing literature. Second, influential network relations maps (INRMs) constructed fuzzy decision-making trial laboratory (DEMATEL), considering dimensions identify key homestead exit policy. The results show five subdimensions are achieving WRH. our results, we propose certain recommendations.