A Comprehensive Framework for Evaluating Sustainable Green Building Indicators under an Uncertain Environment

2021·3.5 MB·

by  Mohamed Abdel-Basset

sustainability
Article
A Comprehensive Framework for Evaluating Sustainable Green
Building Indicators under an Uncertain Environment
MohamedAbdel-Basset1,AbduallahGamal1,* ,RiponK.Chakrabortty2 ,MichaelRyan2
andNissreenEl-Saber1
1 FacultyofComputersandInformatics,ZagazigUniversity,Zagazig44519,Egypt;
[email protected](M.A.-B.);[email protected](N.E.-S.)
2 CapabilitySystemsCentre,SchoolofEngineeringandIT,UniversityofNewSouthWales,
Canberra2052,Australia;[email protected](R.K.C.);[email protected](M.R.)
* Correspondence:[email protected]
Abstract: The development of sustainable green buildings (GBs) is a major contribution to the
preservationoftheenvironment. SustainablethinkinginGBconstructionisnotasupplementary
element,butrathernecessarytoachievethebuilding’sfunctional,economic,andenvironmental
efficiencyinordertopreserveresourcesandmeetcurrentandfutureneeds.Inparticular,developing
countriescanapplytheideaofsustainabilityinGBsbyfollowinginternationalpoliciesandstandards,
combinedwiththeirlocalcharacteristics,toconstructGBsthatarealignedwiththeenvironmentand
areinlinewiththeavailablelocalcapabilitiesandresources.Thepaperfocusesonthedimensionsand
indicatorsofsustainabledesignforGBsindevelopingcountriestoachievethepositivedimensions
ofbuildingsustainability, suchaspreservingenergyandnaturalresources, watermanagement,
(cid:1)(cid:2)(cid:3)(cid:1)(cid:4)(cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:7)(cid:8)(cid:1)
(cid:1)(cid:2)(cid:3)(cid:4)(cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:7) adaptationtothesurroundingenvironment,andrespectingtheneedsofitsusers. Weassessand
prioritizethedimensionsandindicatorsofGBsthroughtheuseofamulti-criteriadecision-making
Citation: Abdel-Basset,M.;Gamal,
(MCDM)methodunderaneutrosophicenvironment.Initially,theDelphimethodisemployedto
A.;Chakrabortty,R.K.;Ryan,M.;
capturepreferenceandtodeterminethedimensionsandtheirindicatorsinadditiontoprovide
El-Saber,N.AComprehensive
preferenceamongsub-indicators.Therelativeimportanceoftheselecteddimensionsandindicators
FrameworkforEvaluating
SustainableGreenBuildingIndicators isassessedthroughtheanalyticalhierarchymethod(AHP)method. Theresultsindicatethatthe
underanUncertainEnvironment. waterefficiencydimensionisthemostsignificant,withaweightof0.330,whiletheenergyefficiency
Sustainability2021,13,6243. https:// dimensionistheleastsignificantforGBsindevelopingcountries,withaweightof0.100.Thepaper
doi.org/10.3390/su13116243 concludeswithasetofadministrativeimplicationsforapplyingsustainabledevelopmentstrategies
inGBs.
AcademicEditor:VincenzoCostanzo
Keywords:multi-criteriadecision-making;greenbuilding;uncertainty;sustainability;AHP;Delphi
Received:29March2021
Accepted:26May2021
Published:1June2021
1. Introduction
Publisher’sNote:MDPIstaysneutral
Althoughthetwentiethcenturyhasmadegreatadvancesinscientific,technical,and
withregardtojurisdictionalclaimsin
industrialdevelopment[1],thereisincreasingrecognitionoftheneedforanewconceptof
publishedmapsandinstitutionalaffil-
development,adevelopmentthatproposesabalancedvisionbetweenpreservingboththe
iations.
environmentandcontinuedeconomicgrowth. Theconstructionandurbanizationsector
receivesgreatattentionintheframeworkofsustainableandcomprehensivedevelopment,
becausethepracticesofthissectorindesign,implementation,maintenance,operationand
evendemolitionhaveagreatimpactonpeopleandtheenvironment[2]. Theconstruction
Copyright: © 2021 by the authors.
sector alone accounts for 40% of the total energy consumption in the world, some 30%
Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
of raw materials are consumed in building and urban activity, and 16% of total water
This article is an open access article
consumptionisusedforbuildingandconstruction[3,4]. Developingcountriesproduce
distributed under the terms and
about30%ofgreenhousegases[4,5]andarethereforeasignificantcomponentofplansto
conditionsoftheCreativeCommons
reducegreenhousegases. TheInternationalPanelonClimateChange(2007)indicatedthat
Attribution(CCBY)license(https://
therecouldbeareductioninenergyconsumptionandareductioningreenhouseemissions
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/
4.0/). of6gigatonsinthenextdecadeifpracticeswerechangedtobesustainable[6].
Sustainability2021,13,6243.https://doi.org/10.3390/su13116243 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability
Sustainability2021,13,6243 2of25
TheWorldHealthOrganization(WHO)alsoindicatesthatsomenewbuildingsinthe
worldthatarenotsuitableforhumanhabitation[7],withpoorinternalenvironmentsasa
resultofthedangerouspollutantsandplankton. Thereisaconsequenteconomiccostasa
resultofthediseasescontractedinsuchbuildings,whetheradirectcostforthediseases
that may afflict a person as a result of the unsustainability of his home and its quality
assurance,oranindirectcostsuchaslowproductivityofindividualsduetotheirdisease.
TheconceptofGBshasarisenasaframeworkforasetofsolutionsthatenablethe
construction and urbanization sector to respond with a higher degree of interaction to
environmentalissuesandhealthconcerns. Accordingly,thetrendhasbeentodesignGBs,
tocontrolthebehaviorofthebuildings,andtodevelopstrategiesthatpreservehuman
healthandreducecarbonemissionsandenergyconsumption. Inrecentdecades,interest
isevidentfromallstakeholdersintheGBconcept,includinggovernments,researchers,
environmentalists,andstakeholdersinbothdevelopinganddevelopedcountries[8,9].
EnergysavinginbuildingsisthefirstpriorityintheconceptofGBs,giventhatthe
construction sector consumes such a large proportion of total energy usage. There are
manydecisionstakeninGBstoreduceenergyconsumption,suchastheuseofpassive
or natural systems for cooling, heating, ventilation, and even lighting; the optimal use
ofinsulationinwallsandroofs;andcarefulconsiderationofthebestsolutionstodesign
theshapeofthebuildinganditslocationanddirection. GBsalsopaygreatattentionto
renewableenergysources,asthisenergyisconstantlyavailableanditsproductionanduse
isnotaccompaniedbysignificantenvironmentalimpact. Eventheuseoflocalmaterials
andrecycledmaterialsis,infact,savingenergy.
Li et al. defined a GB as a building that reduces pollution and conserves natural
resourcesthroughoutitslifecycle[10]. GBsconformtothelanguageofnatureandare
concernedwithhumancomfortandsafetyavoidingmaterialsthathavenotbeentestedfor
harmfulnesstohumans[11]. XiaohongZhangetal. indicatedthatbuildingconstruction
resultsinhighenergyconsumptioninadditiontodangerousenvironmentalimpacts[12].
Developed and developing countries still have not reached the state of environmental
efficiencyinbuildingconstruction[6],astheprocessofconstructionandthenoperation
andmaintenancemaybeaccompaniedbysignificantwasteandemissionspollutingtheen-
vironment. Therearemanystudiesindicatingthatabout30%ofsolidwasteisconstruction
waste,andsomeofthiswasteisamajorsourceofpollution[6]. Forinstance,indeveloped
countries,theconstructionsectorconsumesabout35%ofnaturalresources[6]. InChina,
theconstructionsectorusesabout20%ofthetotalenergyconsumption,andonlyabout
2%ofthebuildingsareconsideredtobenon-energyconsuming[6]. InAmerica,annual
buildingmaintenanceconsumesfrom35%to60%oftheenergybudget[6]. Europealso
allocatesalargepartoftheenergytohousingservicescomparedtoothersectors[6].
Inordertoaddresstheseissues,anumberofcountrieshaveputinplacelong-term
GBpoliciesoutto2035[13]. Wuetal. indicatedthattheconstructionsectorestablishes
environmentalpoliciestomanagetheuseofnaturalresourcesandmaintainanenvironment
ofhigh-qualitybuildings[14].
AlthoughGBshaveattractedresearchersinvariousrespects,theapplicationofGB
strategies still requires many improvements [15]. In developing countries, in particu-
lar,stakeholdersrelyoneconomicstrategiesrelatedtothe“take-make-consume-dispose”
economycriterionintheconstructionsectorwithoutconsideringotherfactorstoachieve
environmentalefficiency[16].Furthermore,effortsdirectedtowardsimplementingenviron-
mentalefficiencyinbuildingconstructionhavenotbeensufficienttoachievesustainability
inconstructionprojects, especiallyindevelopingcountries[16]. Infact, therearesome
GreenBuildingRatingSystems(GBRSs)alreadyinplaceinanumberofcountriestocon-
tributetotheexpansionofGBs: “LEED”intheUSA,“BREEAM”intheUK,“SBTool”in
Canada,“CASBEE”inJapan,andtheGreenBuildingIndex(GBI)inMalaysia[6,17,18].
However,therearelimitedstudiesontheexistenceofatheoreticalreferenceframework
withinwhichtodeterminetheevaluationtoolsandfactorsforGBconstructionindevel-
oping countries and to rank the importance of the relative sustainability indicators [6].
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Furthermore,littleoftheresearchonGBsandtheevaluationofsustainabilityindicators
hasbeencarriedoutunderthefuzzyenvironment[6].
A previous study by [6] assessed GB construction using the GBI rating system in
Malaysia,althoughtheauthorsonlytookintoaccounttheconditionsofthatsinglecoun-
trysothattheconclusionsarelimitedtoMalaysiaortocountriesthathavethesimilar
conditions. Afurtherlimitationofthisstudyisthatitwasconductedunderafuzzyen-
vironment,whichdidnotadequatelyaddressambiguityanduncertainty. Smarandache
presentedneutrosophictheorytodealwithambiguitiesinhumanperceptionsanduncer-
tainphenomena[19]. Neutrosophictheorycanfullydealwithindeterminacy,whilefuzzy
theory[20]cannotdealatallwithindeterminacy,andintuitionisticfuzzytheory[21]only
partiallydealswithindeterminacy. Indeterminacyisanindependentelementonlyinthe
neutrosophicenvironment,whileinthefuzzyenvironmentandtheintuitionisticfuzzyen-
vironment,indeterminacyisdependent,ordoesnotexist[22]. Additionally,neutrosophic
setscandealwithvagueandinaccurateinformationfromtherealworldandaremore
efficientindealingwithinevitablyvagueornottotallyreasonablejudgments[22].
Tothebestofourknowledge,nostudyhasyetappliedtheadvantagesoftheDelphi–
AHPmethodsinthiscontexttoreduceuncertainties. Additionally,thisresearchconsidered
uncertaintiesinallphases,whichhasbeenneglectedinthepreviousstudy[6]. Theun-
certainty commonly occurs in the data itself, in data aggregation, and in the analysis
technique(s)andconclusions. Inthisstudy, uncertaintywasreducedindatacollection
bycirculatingquestionsandanswersamongtheresearchersandexpertsandbyapplying
thequalitativeandquantitativetechniques,specificallytheDelphitechnique[23]. Neutro-
sophicnumberswerealsoappliedtoreducedatauncertainty[24]. Additionally,theAHP
techniquewasappliedtocontroluncertaintiesrelatedtotheevaluationmethod.
This paper addresses the previous problems by identifying a theoretical reference
frameworkforGBconstructiontoolsandprocessesindevelopingcountriesandranking
thesustainabilityindicatorsbasedontheopinionsofexpertsandsomeindicatorsusedin
theGBRSscurrentlyinplace. Inthisregard,thedimensionsandindicatorsofsustainability
for the construction of GBs according to their priorities are assessed using the Delphi–
AHPmethodundertheneutrosophicenvironment. Thisapproachyieldsaneutrosophic
exactnesstoimprovegroupdecision-making,utilizesaliterature-basedlistofevaluation
criteria for application of the methodology in GB construction, and benefits from both
qualitativeandquantitativeapproaches.
The assessment of sustainable integrated green technologies for construction and
prioritizationofdifferentdimensionsandindicatorsisanMCDMprocessthatconsistsof
environmentalandsocialdimensions,andothers[4,25]. AHPisaverycommontechnique
used in a wide range of MCDM problems [26]. The strengths of this technique are to
expoundcomplexproblemsintosimplesub-problemsandtoefficientlydealwithboth
quantitative and qualitative data [27,28]. However, traditional AHP cannot deal with
uncertainty,thus,applyingAHPinaneutrosophicenvironmentsolvesthisdrawbackand
improvesdecisionsbyconsideringuncertainty. Basedonthedatacollectedthroughthe
questionnaires,theAHPmethodwasusedtoevaluatethedimensionsandtheirindicators,
anddeterminetheirprioritiesandthelevelofimportancebetweentheminthefieldsof
GBs. Inrecentyears, neutrosophictheoryhasattractedtheinterestofscholarsandhas
beenemployedinmanystudiesinvariousfields[29].
Themaincontributionsofthispaperare:
• Atheoreticalreferencehasbeenintroducedwhichprovidesausefularchiveofdimen-
sionsandtheirindicatorsforfuturescholars,architects,andstakeholderstousein
GBsindevelopingcountries.
• WesuggestedaneutrosophicMCDMapproachbasedonAHPtohelpstakeholdersto
determinethemostprioritydimensionsandindicators.
• Forthefirsttime,thedimensionsandindicatorsofGBconstructionarebeingevaluated
underaneutrosophicenvironment.
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Theremainingsectionsofthisresearchareorganizedasfollows. Section2presentsa
literaturereviewconcernedwithGBconstruction. Section3discussestheGBdimensions
andtheirindicatorsindevelopingcountries. Thestepsoftheresearchmethodologyare
presented in Section 4 and the application of the research methodology is verified in
Section5. Section6providessomeofthemanagerialimplicationsforthisresearchand
Section7concludes.
2. LiteratureReview
Industrialcompaniesarefacingdifficultiesandexposestogreatpressuretoprovide
high-qualityproductsandreduceenvironmentalimpactsunderagreenerenvironment
andfreeofpollution[30]. MaruthiandRashmireferredtotheincorporationofkeysus-
tainabilityfactorsintothemanufacturingsystemwhichincludesenvironmental,economic
andsocialfactors[31]. Inthisregard,inlightofgreenmanufacturing,companiesstrive
to assess energy consumption, reduce environmental impacts, and accurately regulate
materialconsumptionateverystepintheirproducts’lifecyclestoachievethesustainability
principleofthethreemainaspectsofsustainability.Tianetal. outlinedacasestudyonauto
recyclinginordertoanalyzebasicoperatingpatternsusingtheMCDMmethodtosave
energy,protecttheenvironmentfromemissions,andreducethecostofrecycling[32]. Their
MCDMmodelcombinedtwomethods,AHP,whichwasusedfordeterminingweightsof
influencecriteria,andTechniqueforOrderPerformancebySimilaritytoIdealSolution
(TOPSIS),whichappliedforevaluatingautomotivecomponentsremanufacturing(ACR)
productionoperationpatterns. Theirstudieswereconductedinafuzzyenvironmentthat
didnotconsideruncertaintywell. Hanimetal. indicatedthatthesocial,economic,and
environmentalaspectsareaffectedbygreenmanufacturingbasedondatacollectedfrom
previousstudies[33]. Diaz-Elsayedetal. presentedastudythattargetedtheautomotive
sectorintermsofintegratinggreenandleanstrategiesintotheproductionprocess[34].
Theirmodelaimstosimulatetheimpactofimplementingacombinationofleanandgreen
practicesinamanufacturingfacility. Agreenmanufacturingmodelwasintroducedwith
theaimofachievinggreenerandmoreefficientmanufacturing,basedonvariousplanning
processesandprocessingactivities[11].Despiteresearchthathasdealtwithvariousaspects
ofgreenpracticesinthemanufacturingprocessandthelifecycleofproduction,research
relatedtotheconstructionofGBsisstillrare. Therefore,thispaperaimstocategorizethe
dimensionsandindicatorsofsustainableGBconstructionindevelopingcountries.
A multi-criteria analysis methodology has been proposed that helps stakeholders
to understand the aspects of GB construction, such as clarifying the priority of criteria
in importance, order, coherence between them, and structuring preferences. It should
be noted that before the advent of multi-criteria methods, decision-making problems
wereoftenbasedonasinglecriterion, soitwasmoreappropriatetoresorttomethods
that include several aspects and several limitations, which are multi-criteria methods.
Thesemethodsincludebothquantitativeandqualitativecriteria,andtheyarenotoften
of equal importance in decision-making. MCDM deals with many difficult problems,
suchasengineeringproblems,throughmethodologicalapproaches[35]. Zarghamietal.
indicatedthattheMCDMmethodiswidelyusedinGBresearchtocategorizefactorsbased
onsustainabilityconcerns,whichrelymainlyonafuzzyprocess[18]. Inthecontextof
environmental sciences, the use of this technique is still growing [36]. Zarghami et al.
developedtheIransustainabilitydesigntool,whichconsistsofsixlevelsofcertification,
toassessthesustainabilityofbuildings. Theyusedthesustainabilityindicatorsinsome
of the existing systems, such as LEED, BREEAM, and SBTool CASBEE, to design an
environmentallyfriendlybuildingsustainabilitysysteminIran[18]. Theyalsoassessed
theindicatorsusingthefuzzyAHPmethodtoidentifyindicatorsofhighestpriorityand
importanceinimprovingbuildingsustainabilitywhiletakingintoaccountenvironmental,
economic,andsocialconditions. Yadegaridehkordietal. presentedastudyforidentifying
and ranking the sustainability indicators for assessing GB construction in Malaysia by
consideringGBI[6].TheyappliedtheDEMATELmethodtorevealtheimportanceleveland
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relationshipsamongsustainabilityindicatorsinGBsunderneutrosophicenvironment[6].
The results showed that “Energy Efficiency” and “Indoor Environmental Quality” are
themostimportant,while“WaterEfficiency”and“Innovation”aretheleastimportant
criteriainassessingGBconstructioninMalaysia. Haideretal. introducedanapproachfor
evaluatingsmall-sizedurbansystemsundersustainability[37].Thismethodologyhasbeen
developedtoincludekeyaspectsofsustainability,inadditiontohelpingplannerssubmit
newproposalsbasedontheirpracticalexperienceinthefieldofsustainableconstruction.
Mardanietal. appliedfuzzyMCDMapproachesforassessingenergysavingtechnologies
andsolutions(ESTS)infive-starhotelsbasedonAHP[38]. TheyusedfourESTSinthe
evaluationprocessfromtheliteraturesurvey.
Fromthisreviewofpreviousstudies,itisevidentthatvariousMCDMmethodsand
assessmenttoolshavebeenusedtoassessGBdimensionsandindicatorsandAHPisa
commonlyusedapproachindealingwithgreenpracticesinconstruction. Althoughthere
arestudiesinthefieldofGBsinsomecountriessuchasChina,Europe,IranandMalaysia,
thereisalackofstudiesrelatedtoassessingsustainabilityindicatorsforGBsanddeter-
miningtheprioritiesoftheindicators. Moreover,theresearchesinsustainablebuildings
or GBs were conducted only under a fuzzy environment. Therefore, in this paper, we
identifiedseveraldimensionsandindicatorsofGBssustainabilityindevelopingcountries
inadditiontoevaluatingthedimensionsandindicatorsaccordingtotheirimportanceand
prioritiesaccordingtotheappropriateenvironmental,economic,andsocialconditionsfor
developingcountriesusingAHP.Inaddition,thestudywasconductedinaneutrosophic
environment,whichisanefficientwaytotreatuncertaintyanddealwithindeterminacy
comparedtofuzzy[20]andintuionisticfuzzy[21].
3. GreenBuildingIndicators
Inthissection,asetofGBsindicators(GBI)wasdevelopedtoassessthedesignand
environmentalperformanceofGBsindevelopingcountries. AsshowninFigure1,GBIs
are divided into five dimensions: energy efficiency dimension, indoor environmental
qualitydimension,sustainablesiteplanningandmanagementdimension,materialsand
resourcesdimension,andwaterefficiencydimension. ThedevelopmentofGBIsdepended
ontheopinionsofconsultants,experts,andarchitects,inadditiontosomeGBRSssuch
asLEEDintheUS,BREEAMintheUK,SBToolinCanada,CASBEEinJapan[17,18],and
GBIinMalaysia[6]—seeFigure2forexamplesofGBRSs. Therefore,whendevelopinga
proposalforGBIsindicatorsfordevelopingcountries,allthesesystemsweretakeninto
considerationbasedontheopinionofexpertsinasinglesystemthatfitstheenvironmental
conditions,aswellasculturalandsocialneedsindevelopingsocieties. Thedimensions
Sustainability 2021, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 6 of 27

andindicatorsofGBsarediscussedindetailasfollows.

Figure 1. Dimensions and indicators used for GBs.
Figure1.DimensionsandindicatorsusedforGBs.

Figure 2. Some of GBRSs in the world.
3.1. Energy Efficiency Dimension EED (𝐷)
(cid:2869)
The energy efficiency criterion expresses special aspects of using renewable energy
and improving energy performance. This criterion includes the following eight indicators
[18].
3.1.1. Use Renewable Energy URE (D )
(cid:2869)(cid:2879)(cid:2869)
This indicator shows the extent to which renewable energy is used in the construction
of GBs and the types of renewable energies that are used. It clarifies whether renewable
energy technologies are almost limited to the use of local resources only or from external
Sustainability 2021, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 6 of 27

Figure 1. Dimensions and indicators used for GBs.
Sustainability2021,13,6243 6of25

FFiigguurree 22.. SSoommee ooff GGBBRRSSss iinn tthhee wwoorrldld. .
33..11.. EEnneerrggyy EEffffiicciieennccyy DDiimmeennssiioonn EEEEDD ((𝐷D(cid:2869))1 )
TThhee eenneerrggyy eefffificciieennccyyc crrititeerrioionne exxppreresssesesss pspeceicailaal sapsepcetcstos fouf suinsginrge nreenweawbalebelen eerngeyrgayn d
aimndp riomvpinrogveinnger egnyeprgeyrf poremrfoanrmcea.nTche.i sTchriist ecrriiotenriionncl iundcelusdthese tfhoell foowllionwgienigg heitgihntd iincdatiocarsto[r1s8 ].
[18].
3.1.1. UseRenewableEnergyURE(D1−1)
3.1.1.T Uhsise iRnedniceawtoarblseh Eownesrgthye UexRtEe n(Dttow) hichrenewableenergyisusedintheconstruction
(cid:2869)(cid:2879)(cid:2869)
ofGBsandthetypesofrenewableenergiesthatareused. Itclarifieswhetherrenewable
This indicator shows the extent to which renewable energy is used in the construction
energytechnologiesarealmostlimitedtotheuseoflocalresourcesonlyorfromexternal
of GBs and the types of renewable energies that are used. It clarifies whether renewable
sources,whichhelpsprotecttheconstructionofbuildingsfromunexpectedshocksinterms
energy technologies are almost limited to the use of local resources only or from external
ofenergysecurity[2].
3.1.2. DesignofLightingZoningDLZ(D1−2)
Thisindicatorreferstothevisualconsiderations,lightingprinciples,andmethods
usedinthedesignofGBs(i.e.,artificialornaturallighting,dayandnight). Italsoindicates
theextenttowhichthecorrectlawsandmathematicalequationsareusedforlighting.
3.1.3. DesignofElectricalSub-meteringDES(D1−3)
ThisindicatorreferstotheexistenceoftheelectricityutilityforGB.Sub-meteringrefers
totheinstallationofmetersinthedirectionofthemainelectricitysupply,themeasurement
ofconsumptionofindividualunits,andallowingequitabledistributionofcostsonthe
basisofconsumption,withresidentsresponsiblefortheirownconsumption[28].
3.1.4. SustainableMaintenanceSM(D1−4)
Thisindicatorreferstosomemeasuresrelatedtothemaintenanceandoperationof
GBs.Nomatterhowsustainableabuildingisindesignandconstruction,itcanonlyremain
soifitisoperatedresponsiblyandproperlymaintained.
3.1.5. ImprovedEnergyPerformanceIEP(D1−5)
This indicator refers to the extent to which energy efficiency and cost savings are
improvedbyreplacingenergysystemsinbuildingswithothersthataremoreefficientto
reduceenergyconsumption,becausethismethodgivesquickresultsandhaslimitedcosts.
Somecasescanbesatisfiedwithreplacingenergysystems;however,othersaremoreprone
toissuesrelatedtocosts,orlackofexperience[14,28].
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3.1.6. EnergyEfficiencyVerificationEEV(D1−6)
Thisindicatorreferstomonitoringenergyuseduringoperationandmakinganas-
sessmentofenergyuseduringthefirstmonthsofthebuilding’soperatingperiodtoensure
optimalefficiency[28]andmaintenancepracticeseveryfiveyears. TheEEVindicatoralso
considers the availability of energy efficiency display screens in the building to enable
buildingoccupantstomonitorandtakethenecessarymeasurements.
3.1.7. BuildingIsolationBI(D1−7)
Thisindicatorreferstotheextenttowhichtheinsulationofexternalwallsandsurfaces
isimproved,addingexternalprotectionfilmsonwindows,improvingwindoworientation,
calculatingtheratioofopeningstotheentirewall,andusingdoubleglazing.
3.1.8. HarvestingNaturalLightHNL(D1−8)
Thisindicatorreferstotheuseofnaturallightinginbuildingsasastrategicgoalon
which modern architecture depends to reach sustainable and green architecture that is
appropriateforfuturecities[39]. GBsusingdaylightharvestinghaveautomaticlighting
controlsystemsthatmeasuretheamountofnaturallightineachspaceandadjustelectric
lightsaccordingly.
3.2. IndoorEnvironmentalQualityDimensionIEQD(D )
2
Theurgentneedforsustainabledesign,whichestablishesaninternalenvironment
thatmeetstherequirementsofcomfortandsafety,emergedasastrategyforminimizing
buildingpollutantsandmaximizingtheefficiencyofpositiveexchangebetweenthebuild-
ingandthenaturalenvironmentaroundit[6]. Nowthatsustainabledesignsareavailable
atallaestheticandfunctionallevels,awarenessoftheimportanceofsustainabledesign
anditspositiveimpactonhumanhealthmustberaised. Althoughhigh-costdesignsat
thebeginning,theaestheticsandfunctionalityofthedesignsandthesustainablematerials
usedarerecyclableandremainforfuturegenerationsanddonotharmtheenvironment.
Hence,theproblemofthedeterminantsofsustainableinteriordesignanditsimpacton
thequalityoftheinternalenvironmentforinteriordesignisaddressed. Thisdimension
includesthefollowingeightindicators.[7].
3.2.1. DioxideControlCDC(D2−1)
Thisindicatorreferstotheconcentrationofcarbondioxideintheindoorenvironment
orclosedplaces,anditisanindicationofwhetherventilationissufficientornot[18]. The
qualityofindoorairisalsoaffectedbytheoutdoorairpollution,aswellastheinternal
sources ofpollution (e.g., the buildingcharacteristics orthe inhabitants’ habits such as
smoking[7]). Forthis,carbondioxidemonitorscanbeplacedandtheairflowcanautomat-
icallyincreaseifthecarbondioxideconcentrationincreasesbeyondaspecifiedlevel.
3.2.2. MoldPreventionMP(D2−2)
This indicator refers to how to control the appearance of mold in GBs. Factors to
betakenintoconsiderationwhendesigningGBswithnomoldinthefuturearelimiting
theabsenceofdirectsunlightinsidethebuilding,thehighhumidityintheair,wallpaper,
glueanduntreatedwood,andevendust[2]. Hence,allthesefactorsmustbetakeninto
considerationwhendesigningGBssothatmolddoesnotappear.
3.2.3. IndustrialChemicalExposureICE(D2−3)
This indicator refers to the amount of chemicals that residents are exposed to in
buildings(e.g.,sources,modesoftransportation,andeffectsofchemicalsonhumanhealth
andtheenvironment)[18].Thisindicatorisconsideredoneofthemostimportantindicators
thatmustbetakenintoaccount.
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3.2.4. DesignofThermalComfortSystemsDTCS(D2−4)
ThisindicatorreferstothedesignofGBssuchthatitworksefficientlyinbothheating
andcoolingthebuildingsthroughadjustingthethermalgainandloss[14].
3.2.5. AirChangeEffectivenessACE(D2−5)
Thisindicatorreferstothelocationoftheoutdoorairintakeshasagreatimpacton
theeffectivenessofchangingtheindoorair. Assumingthattheoutsideairsurrounding
thebuildingdoesnotcontainimpuritiesordirt,obtaininggoodqualityofindoorairis
possiblethroughproperventilationandthecorrectdistributionofairinsidethebuilding,
whichmustbetakenintoaccountinthedesignofGBs[7].
3.2.6. InternalNoiseLevelsINL(D2−6)
ThisindicatorreferstoefficientacousticdesignandnoiseavoidanceforGBs. The
efficiencyofawallinpreventingthetransmissionofnoisedependsonitsmass[39],soitis
preferabletousesound-absorbingfloors.
3.2.7. ExternalViewsEV(D2−7)
Thisindicatorreferstocreatinganoutdoorenvironmentthatbringscomfortinvision
andenvironmentalbenefitssuchasshadinginthesummerwithtrees. Theexploitationof
environmentaldiversityconfirmsthatthedesignsrequireahightechnicalapproachwith
compatibilitywithaestheticaspects[40].
3.2.8. IndoorAirQualitybeforeandduringOccupancyIAQO(D2−8)
Thisindicatorrelatestoindoorairqualitymonitoringbeforeandduringworkinside
GBs. Itwasfoundthattheconcentrationofpollutantsintheclosedindoorplacesismuch
higherthanintheexternalenvironment[7].
3.3. SustainableSitePlanningandManagementDimensionSSPMD(D )
3
TheSSPMcriterionisoneofthemostimportantinthesustainableGBindustry. The
basis of any project is the design stage, as it has the greatest ability to impact cost and
sustainableperformance[6,18]. TheprimarygoalofsustainableGBprojectsistoreduce
theoverallenvironmentalimpactassociatedwithallstagesoftheconstructionprojectlife
cycle. However, constructionisnotasimpleindustrialprocess. Buildingsarecomplex
products,consistingofmanycomponentsthateachconstitutedifferentdesignvariants.The
differenceineachdesignvariablemayaffecttheenvironmentduringallrelevantlifecycle
stagesofthebuilding. TheSSPMdimensionincludesthefollowingeightindicators[14].
3.3.1. SiteSelectionandPlanningSSP(D3−1)
ThisindicatorshowsthatsiteselectionandplanningforGBsrequirestheintegration
ofenvironmental,social,andeconomicfactors. Inaddition,thesuccessfulimplementa-
tion of GB sustainability requires a comprehensive and detailed planning process and
real-need analysis that takes into account the environment from the start of the design
process[5]. Asuitablesitemustbechosenwiththeavailabilityofrawmaterials,proximity
totransportation,powergrids,andthepresenceoftheappropriateworkforce.
3.3.2. ConstructionPollutionControlCPC(D3−2)
Thisindicatorreferstotheextenttowhichconstructionpollutioniscontrolled(e.g.,
organicandinorganicgasesthatresultfromcombustion,whethertheyarefrommoving
vehiclesorindustrialorelectricalfacilitiesnearthesite). Therefore,intheplanningstage
of the construction process, the possible and potential sites for construction should be
evaluatedintermsoflevelsofenvironmentalpollution,includingorganiccompounds,
analysisofnearbyoradjacentsourcesofpollution,informationontheclimate,andthe
movementoftheprevailingwinds[14,40].
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3.3.3. DevelopmentDensityandCommunityConnectivityDDCC(D3−3)
ThisindicatorreferstothedevelopmentmeasuresinGBindustrializationareaswith
existinginfrastructure,protectionofgreenfields,andconsiderationofnaturalresources.
Inaddition,itincludesmeetingcommunityconnectivitystandardssuchasproximityto
basicservices.
3.3.4. GreenVehiclesGV(D3−4)
Thisindicatorreferstothemeasurestakentowardsthetransitiontogreenvehicles
thatmeettheneedsofthenewdevelopmentsocietiesbasedonachievingtheprincipleof
sustainability[39]. Examplesoflow-impacttransportmethods(i.e.,greentransportation)
arenon-mechanicaltransportation,walking,cycling,greenvehicles,carsharing,andusing
environmentallyfriendlyenergy[5,40].
3.3.5. PublicTransportationPlanandTransportationAccessPTPTA(D3−5)
Thisindicatorreferstothemeasurestakenandtherecourseofurbanplanningexperts
whocanefficientlyconnectpublictransportation—thatis,transportationsystemsthatare
usedtotransportthepublicandsuitableparking.
3.3.6. GreeneryandRoofDesignGRD(D3−6)
Thisindicatorreferstodesigninggreenspacesandroofstosuittheconditionsofthe
environmentandthearchitecturalstructureofGBs[39],aswellascompensatingforthe
lackofgreenspacesatthegenerallevelbyincreasingthepercapitagreenspaces. Agreen
roof can easily reduce heat through the roof and reduce energy for heating or cooling,
whicheasilyleadstolargecostsavings.
3.3.7. StormDesignSD(D3−7)
This indicator refers to how to use and deal with rainwater, either by storing or
disposingofexcesswaterinaneffectivemannerwithoutaffectingGBs. Plantsongreen
roofs use rain and often excess water is stored so that it can be used later without any
problem. Inaddition,theroofsaredesignedsothattheroofplantsdonoteasilyretain
rainwater, so there is no chance of surface runoff which does not cause local flooding
ofrainwater.
3.3.8. BuildingUserManualBUM(D3−8)
Thisindicatorshowsthattheusermanualshouldbewrittenforthepublic—thosewho
willbeusingtheGBservices. Theusermanualiscoordinatedbyexpertsandconsultants
foreachservice.
3.4. MaterialsandResourcesDimensionMRD(D )
4
This dimension indicates that GBs are built from natural, non-toxic, and recycled
materialsthatdonotcostmuch. Buildingmaterialsincluderapidlyregeneratingplant
materialssuchasbambooandstraw,recycledmetalsorenvironmentallyfriendlyconcrete,
woodfromforeststhathavebeencertifiedasanoutboardforeststandard,andothernon-
toxicandreusableproducts[6,39]. Thematerialsandresourcesdimensionincludesthe
followingfiveindicators.
3.4.1. ReusedandRecycledMaterialsRRM(D4−1)
This indicator refers to the extent to which recycled materials are relied on in GB
construction. Recycling is the process of converting waste or used materials into new
products. Therecyclingprocessreducesenergyuse,wasteofpotentiallyusefulmaterials,
waterpollution,airpollution,andgreenhousegasemissions.
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3.4.2. SustainableResourcesSR(D4−2)
Thisindicatorreferstotheuseofsustainablematerialsandproductsintheconstruc-
tionprocessofGBssuchassustainablewood,aswellasiflocalnon-importedmaterials
arereliedon. Itisimperativetochoosematerialsthatproducelittlegasemissionsduring
orafterinstallation. Inaddition,itincludesthenecessitytouseproductswithrecycled
componentsandtorecycleconstructionwaste,providedthatthesematerialsarerecyclable
andachievetheprinciplesofsustainability.
3.4.3. ConstructionWasteManagementCWM(D4−3)
Thisindicatorreferstohowtodealwiththeharmfulenvironmentalimpactsresulting
fromimproperdisposalofconstructionanddemolitionwastebydevelopingintegratedand
sustainableplansandsolutionsforwastemanagementtopreservenaturalresources,such
asmineralsandores[17].Implementingintegratedmanagementprogramsforconstruction
anddemolitionwasteforconstructionprojectsmustbeinaccordancewithenergyand
environmentalstandardsanddesigns.
3.4.4. StorageofRecyclableSR(D4−4)
This indicator refers to dealing with recyclable materials and how to store them
andusethemwhenneeded. Theisolationofthestorageareaawayfrombuildingsand
other facilities is important. In addition, the storage area should be in a cool, dry, and
well-ventilatedarea,andthestoragebuildingsmustbeconstructedoffireproofmaterials.
3.4.5. GreenProductsGP(D4−5)
Thisindicatorreferstotheextenttowhichgreenproductsarebeingreliedoninthe
constructionofGBs. Agreenproductshouldsatisfyabasichumanneedwithoutpolluting
theearth’sresources[5,40].
3.5. WaterEfficiencyDimensionWED(D )
5
ThemaingoalofGBsistoreduceconsumptionandraisetheefficiencyoftheresources
used,suchasraisingwaterefficiency. Inthisregard,GBsaredesignedtorecycleandreuse
variouskindsofwater,suchasrainwaterandgraywater.Waterefficiencycriterionincludes
thefollowingfourindicators.
3.5.1. RainwaterHarvestingRH(D5−1)
ThisindicatorreferstotheinterestincollectingrainwaterinGBsareas. Thewater
usuallyrunsthroughtheroofsofbuildingsandcollectsinrainwatertanksforlateruse.
Rainwater harvesting, directly or indirectly, greatly reduces reliance on groundwater
sources. Thecollectedrainwatercanalsobeasourceofregenerationofaquifersthathave
beendepletedasaresultoftheincreaseinpopulation.
3.5.2. WaterRecyclingWR(D5−2)
Thisindicatorreferstotherecyclingofrainwaterthathasbeencollectedinspecial
rainwatertanksforthepurposeoftreatmentandlateruse. Thisrecycledwaterreplenishes
groundwater sources and is used in street cleaning and watering of playgrounds and
landscapes. Achallengewhentreatingrecycledwateriscommunityacceptance,becausea
largeproportionofthepopulationdoesnotaccepttheuseofrecycledwater[18].
3.5.3. WaterReductionWD(D5−3)
Thisindicatorreferstotheextentofconcernfortheefficiencyofwaterresourcesand
work to reduce consumption through techniques such as the use of smart faucets that
reduce the flow of water. This also includes the need to adjust and calibrate the water
networkpressuretoreducetheflowofwaterfromthetapsandworkonmaintainingwater
lines,updatingmeasurementsystems,anddetectingleaks.