Barriers to green roof installation: An integrated fuzzy-based MCDM approach. (1st October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mahdiyar, Amir; Mohandes, Saeed Reza; Durdyev, Serdar; Tabatabaee, Sanaz; Ismail, Syuhaida
• Is Part Of: Journal of cleaner production. Volume 269(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-10-01
• Subjects: Green roof -- Malaysia -- Sustainability -- MCDM -- Fuzzy delphi method -- Fuzzy best-worst method; Factory and trade waste -- Management -- Periodicals; Manufactures -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Déchets industriels -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Usines -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; 628.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.122365
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-6526

Abstract

Abstract: Despite its environmental and financial benefits for public and private sectors, adoption of the green roof (GR) system comprises barriers that have inhibited its application in Malaysia. Studies on the barriers to GR installation have been conducted worldwide; however, they are scarce in Malaysia. Moreover, in the literature, conventional methods are used for prioritizing the barriers, while the barriers to GR adoption are not differentiated among its types. In view of this argument, this paper identifies and prioritizes the barriers to GR installation using Fuzzy Delphi Method (FDM) and Fuzzy Best-Worst Method (FBWM), respectively. Of 20 identified barriers, six (for intensive GR) and nine (for extensive GR) were rejected using FDM, while the selected barriers were prioritized using FBWM. The findings reveal that "high initial cost" and "lack of awareness and knowledge" barriers to IGR and EGR installation are the most significant, respectively; while "challenges of installation" and "structural damage" are the least significant for both types of GRs. A comparative analysis was conducted to show the outperformance of used methods while the validity of the results was checked through case studies. The clear message of the results addresses the amalgamation of legislative enforcements with financial incentives and emphasis on the improvement of knowledge and awareness, which will ultimately lead to effective and widespread implementation of GR systems. The study provides practical guidelines for the stakeholders at the forefront by enabling them to grapple with the most significant barriers to GR installation. Highlights: Barriers inhibiting the adoption of IGR and EGR in Malaysia were identified using fuzzy Delphi method. Fuzzy best-worst method was utilized, which provides a precise prioritization of barriers to GR installation. Climatic barriers are observed as insignificant in tropical climate of Malaysia. High initial construction cost of IGR installation is perceived to be the most significant barrier to its adoption. Information and knowledge barriers are perceived to be the most important barriers for EGR installation.