Development of a Priority Weights-Based Green Building Rating Model

Abstract

Green building rating systems are developed to promote sustainability. Existing rating systems use both numerical and linguistic descriptors. In addition, existing rating systems do not directly identify the priority or interrelation between different parameters. The objectives of this study are to develop a priority weights-based green building rating model with numerical descriptors and to propose a remediation plan for existing buildings to obtain green certification under the developed rating model. In this paper, the analytical hierarchy process is used to develop a green building rating system. Based on the opinions of 100 experts, the priority weights of parameters were determined. The numerical thresholds of point allocation, equations, and priority weights of the proposed rating model supports a definitive classification on green building performance. For buildings with poor green performance, a remediation plan is proposed that can be adopted to upgrade and obtain green certification for buildings under the developed rating model.