Identifying Critical Criteria on Assessment of Sustainable Materials for Construction Projects in New Zealand Through the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) Approach

New Zealand’s goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 2050 highlights the urgent need for integrating sustainable practices into the construction industry. Since the construction industry makes a major contribution to GHG emissions, this study aims to address this need by identi...

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Main Authors: Jiachen Qian, Chandana Siriwardana, Wajiha Shahzad
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Buildings
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/14/12/3854
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author Jiachen Qian
Chandana Siriwardana
Wajiha Shahzad
author_facet Jiachen Qian
Chandana Siriwardana
Wajiha Shahzad
author_sort Jiachen Qian
collection DOAJ
description New Zealand’s goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 2050 highlights the urgent need for integrating sustainable practices into the construction industry. Since the construction industry makes a major contribution to GHG emissions, this study aims to address this need by identifying and prioritizing the critical criteria relevant to the effective selection of sustainable construction materials for New Zealand’s construction industry. The research employs a multi-stage approach, including a comprehensive literature review, expert interviews, and industry surveys. Initially, 80 criteria were identified through the literature review. Subsequently, expert interviews and industry surveys led to the identification of 30 critical criteria, which were categorized into environmental, technical, economic, and social impacts, and were ranked based on their importance. This study utilizes a 5-point importance index and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to rank these criteria. This study notably integrates technical impacts with the three traditional sustainability pillars—environmental, economic, and social—providing a nuanced evaluation of construction material selection. The results indicate that environmental and technical criteria received the highest priority weights (32% each), followed by economic (19%) and social impacts (17%). The findings offer valuable insights for industry stakeholders, assisting them in applying these critical criteria to improve material selection practices in alignment with New Zealand’s sustainability objectives.
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spelling doaj-art-98eaf6c5fa0e4f37958a96cab2b460302025-08-20T02:55:31ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092024-11-011412385410.3390/buildings14123854Identifying Critical Criteria on Assessment of Sustainable Materials for Construction Projects in New Zealand Through the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) ApproachJiachen Qian0Chandana Siriwardana1Wajiha Shahzad2School of Built Environment, Massey University, Auckland 0632, New ZealandSchool of Built Environment, Massey University, Auckland 0632, New ZealandSchool of Built Environment, Massey University, Auckland 0632, New ZealandNew Zealand’s goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 2050 highlights the urgent need for integrating sustainable practices into the construction industry. Since the construction industry makes a major contribution to GHG emissions, this study aims to address this need by identifying and prioritizing the critical criteria relevant to the effective selection of sustainable construction materials for New Zealand’s construction industry. The research employs a multi-stage approach, including a comprehensive literature review, expert interviews, and industry surveys. Initially, 80 criteria were identified through the literature review. Subsequently, expert interviews and industry surveys led to the identification of 30 critical criteria, which were categorized into environmental, technical, economic, and social impacts, and were ranked based on their importance. This study utilizes a 5-point importance index and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to rank these criteria. This study notably integrates technical impacts with the three traditional sustainability pillars—environmental, economic, and social—providing a nuanced evaluation of construction material selection. The results indicate that environmental and technical criteria received the highest priority weights (32% each), followed by economic (19%) and social impacts (17%). The findings offer valuable insights for industry stakeholders, assisting them in applying these critical criteria to improve material selection practices in alignment with New Zealand’s sustainability objectives.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/14/12/3854construction materialssustainable construction materialsmaterial selectionsustainable and green constructioneco-friendly construction practiceslife cycle assessment
spellingShingle Jiachen Qian
Chandana Siriwardana
Wajiha Shahzad
Identifying Critical Criteria on Assessment of Sustainable Materials for Construction Projects in New Zealand Through the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) Approach
Buildings
construction materials
sustainable construction materials
material selection
sustainable and green construction
eco-friendly construction practices
life cycle assessment
title Identifying Critical Criteria on Assessment of Sustainable Materials for Construction Projects in New Zealand Through the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) Approach
title_full Identifying Critical Criteria on Assessment of Sustainable Materials for Construction Projects in New Zealand Through the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) Approach
title_fullStr Identifying Critical Criteria on Assessment of Sustainable Materials for Construction Projects in New Zealand Through the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) Approach
title_full_unstemmed Identifying Critical Criteria on Assessment of Sustainable Materials for Construction Projects in New Zealand Through the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) Approach
title_short Identifying Critical Criteria on Assessment of Sustainable Materials for Construction Projects in New Zealand Through the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) Approach
title_sort identifying critical criteria on assessment of sustainable materials for construction projects in new zealand through the analytic hierarchy process ahp approach
topic construction materials
sustainable construction materials
material selection
sustainable and green construction
eco-friendly construction practices
life cycle assessment
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/14/12/3854
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AT chandanasiriwardana identifyingcriticalcriteriaonassessmentofsustainablematerialsforconstructionprojectsinnewzealandthroughtheanalytichierarchyprocessahpapproach
AT wajihashahzad identifyingcriticalcriteriaonassessmentofsustainablematerialsforconstructionprojectsinnewzealandthroughtheanalytichierarchyprocessahpapproach