Evaluation framework for urban sustainability assessment tools based on a decision-making approach

The availability of Urban Sustainability Assessment Tools (USATs) is considered essential in societies. Nevertheless, assessing USATs is challenging because inherent contradictions, compromises, and different tendencies characterise the models. This study aims to benchmark USATs against key criteria. The study addresses practical and theoretical limitations, particularly inconsistencies in weighting mechanisms, limited reproducibility, and biases in subjective judgment. The study introduces two Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) models: 2-Tuple Linguistic q-Rung Orthopair Fuzzy Weighted Zero Inconsistency (2TLq-ROFWZIC) and 2-Tuple Linguistic q-Rung Orthopair Fuzzy Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment (2TLq-ROFWASPAS), enabling more consistent, interpretable, and scalable evaluations. The 2TLq-ROFWZIC identifies the highest weights to the Mobility (0.2209) and Climate and Energy (0.1849). The 2TLq-ROFWASPS selects BREEAM and LEED as the top USATs, boasting scores of 3.4706 and 3.3992, respectively. The methodology is validated through seven sensitivity analysis scenarios and systematic ranking. This methodology delivers a reproducible, data-driven decision support tool, enhancing transparency and USATs evaluations.