Analysis of factors necessitating the need for sustainability in commercial and residential buildings using DEMATEL methodology

Abstract

The continually expanding cityscapes and the evolving metropolitan society continuously needs resources to develop. The input of resources in terms of energy and materials poses a threat to the environment. The problem of depleting resources and materials in environment due to these expanding cityscapes and metropolises can be reduced if sustainability in construction, operation and maintenance of these commercial and residential buildings are introduced. Because most of the cityscapes habitat consists of residential and commercial buildings, the area of sustainability application can be more impactful if the sustainable measures could be applied in these buildings. This research analyzes the factors that obligate the various sustainability measures in commercial and residential buildings in the Indian subcontinent. Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) based Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) methodology is used to study the factors’ interaction and rank them. Managerial application and implications of the results on the society will also be discussed.