Multi-criteria decision analysis reveals softwood and recycled HDPE lumber as optimal sustainable building materials in regional construction, highlighting viable paths to reduce industrial emissions.
The construction industry in the Middle East is a major driver of economic growth but also a significant contributor to carbon emissions and resource depletion. This study develops a comprehensive decision-making model for sustainable material selection tailored to the Middle Eastern context using a hybrid AHP–TOPSIS approach. Ten sustainability factors and 24 sub-factors were identified and weighted based on pairwise comparisons by 60 regional experts. The results indicate that Human Health & Safety, Pollution, and Climate Change are the most influential criteria in the region, with expert judgments showing high reliability (CR = 0.00602). Evaluating five common materials, Softwood Lumber and Recycled HDPE Lumber emerged as the most sustainable options, while structural steel ranked lowest due to its environmental impact. The proposed framework provides a transparent tool for stakeholders to systematically prioritize materials, bridging the gap between sustainability goals and regional construction practices.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Madu et al. (2026) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: