Qualitative assessment framework to evaluate sustainability indicators affecting infrastructure construction projects in developing countries using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP)

There are different sustainability indicators that may affect the construction projects which are necessary to be identified in order to improve the construction industry. This paper proposes a qualitative assessment framework that can assist construction project teams with a useful tool to identify and prioritize sustainability indicators impacting their projects. First, a literature review is conducted to identify the sustainability indicators that need to be considered in achieving a more sustainable construction project in Egypt. The factors are then ranked through a survey questionnaire and experts’ judgment using a 7-point Likert scale to identify the most significant factors. The AHP is used in this paper to determine experts’ importance weights. A case study of an infrastructure project in Egypt is conducted to identify, and prioritize different sustainability indicators affecting the construction of infrastructure projects in Egypt. The consent of framework development can be generalized and applied to other countries by changing related sustainability indicators and expert opinions. The framework solves a major problem that faces infrastructure construction project teams who want to Prioritize and assess quantitatively sustainability indicators existed in their projects prior to the start of construction phase.