Assessing the sustainability of a modular school concept
Abdulkareem, Mariam Oluwafunmilayo (2017)
Diplomityö
Abdulkareem, Mariam Oluwafunmilayo
2017
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe201704186186
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe201704186186
Tiivistelmä
The building and construction sector is one of the major contributors to environmental degradation. As a result of its extensive consequences, the need to include sustainable practices in the building sector has never been more vital. Incorporating sustainable practices in this sector means the integration of sustainable solutions from the early design phase to the implementation phase. This is to ensure reduced impact on the environment.
One major principle that will ensure a building is sustainable, is in the selection of building materials. When this process is properly initiated, the impact of different materials (considered by the experts) can be effectively assessed. This is so that the most preferred materials in terms of sustainability can be distinguished.
The five major criteria identified in this study are; environmental impact, resource efficiency, technicality, life-cycle cost, and socio-cultural value. This is so that all major arms of sustainable development are represented. The criteria were combined into a composite sustainability index using multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) in the form Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) for ease of decision making. The AHP method was specifically adopted due to its ability to integrate subjective and objective factors in the decision making process.
In order to determine the composite sustainability index of the different materials that were assessed, a calculation model was developed and this was accomplished using Microsoft Excel for transparency process and ease of modification in the future. The aim of this calculation model is to calculate and rank different materials based on their sustainability level. The calculation model was tested to ensure it worked effectively, and this tool will greatly contribute in realising sustainability in the building sector.
One major principle that will ensure a building is sustainable, is in the selection of building materials. When this process is properly initiated, the impact of different materials (considered by the experts) can be effectively assessed. This is so that the most preferred materials in terms of sustainability can be distinguished.
The five major criteria identified in this study are; environmental impact, resource efficiency, technicality, life-cycle cost, and socio-cultural value. This is so that all major arms of sustainable development are represented. The criteria were combined into a composite sustainability index using multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) in the form Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) for ease of decision making. The AHP method was specifically adopted due to its ability to integrate subjective and objective factors in the decision making process.
In order to determine the composite sustainability index of the different materials that were assessed, a calculation model was developed and this was accomplished using Microsoft Excel for transparency process and ease of modification in the future. The aim of this calculation model is to calculate and rank different materials based on their sustainability level. The calculation model was tested to ensure it worked effectively, and this tool will greatly contribute in realising sustainability in the building sector.