Title: A decision support tool for the adaptive reuse or demolition and reconstruction of existing buildings

Authors: Eleni Sfakianaki; Katerina Moutsatsou

Addresses: School of Social Sciences, Hellenic Open University, 57-59 Bouboulinas Street, 52622, Patra, Greece ' School of Social Sciences, Hellenic Open University, 57-59 Bouboulinas Street, 52622, Patra, Greece

Abstract: A large number of old and abandoned buildings are under restoration with a view to accommodate new functions, while some others have already been consolidated and reconstructed. The decision whether to interfere and to what extent to an existing building is a complex issue which should take into consideration the broad range of all sustainability concerns. This means that the decision should examine not only a number of environmental factors but also social and economic indicators as well as maintenance in terms of cost, time, quality and performance within an acceptable range. This paper explores the relationships between financial, environmental and social parameters associated with building adaptive reuse or demolition and reconstruction. A weighted decision support tool (WDST) has been developed and discussed in this context. This tool can assist in the transformation of the traditional empirical decision-making processes of building stakeholders, towards more sustainable, profitable and cultural respectful practices.

Keywords: adaptive reuse; demolition; decision support tools; eco-costs; building value; building restoration; building reconstruction; sustainability; environmental indicators; social indicators; economic indicators; building maintenance; culture; decision making; old buildings; existing buildings; abandoned buildings.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESD.2015.066893

International Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development, 2015 Vol.14 No.1, pp.1 - 19

Received: 13 Oct 2012
Accepted: 09 Jul 2013
Published online: 09 May 2015 *

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