Omar Attallah, S; Senouci, A; Kandil, A and al-Derham, H (2013) Utilization of life-cycle analysis to evaluate sustainability rating systems for construction projects with a case study on qatar sustainability assessment system (qsas). Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, 2(3), pp. 272-287. ISSN 2046-6099
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to present a methodology for assessing, in quantifiable terms, the reduction in environmental impacts achieved by applying different credits of sustainability rating systems in building construction projects. Sustainability rating systems are developed in various regions to evaluate construction projects with respect to their environmental performance. Although implementation of rating systems had a recognized effect on reducing environmental impact of construction projects, there is no objective and quantifiable evidence that the approaches recommended by these rating systems to achieve the required certification lead to optimum environmental results. This paper presents a methodology that utilizes life cycle analysis (LCA) as a powerful and objective tool to validate the way rating systems evaluate project performance. The Qatar Sustainability Assessment System (QSAS), recently developed in the State of Qatar by Gulf Organization for Research and Development (GORD), is chosen as a case study to illustrate application of the developed methodology. Environmental impacts due to implementation of QSAS credits are calculated for one project in Qatar, which is currently under construction. Results reveal possible use of LCA as a tool for evaluating the effectiveness of rating systems. For the QSAS case study, findings reveal indications of over and, in some instances, under estimation of the weights assigned to some credits and the difficulty in the quantification of the impacts of other credits, which indicates the need for reconsideration of these weights to improve effectiveness of the implementation of these credits. The proposed methodology stands as a step toward the enhancement and rationalization of the currently used building sustainability ratings system.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction; environmental rating systems; life-cycle assessment; Qatar Sustainability Assessment System; sustainability |
| Index terms: | estimation, case study, quantification, environmental performance, implementation, Qatar, effectiveness, project performance, building sustainability, building construction, life cycle analysis, certification, sustainability assessment, evidence, environmental impact, sustainability rating system, methodology, construction project, research and development |
| Subjects: | evaluation and assessment methods, data collection methods, environmental impact, sustainability and energy, financial and cost management, contractual arrangements, research methods, performance management, sustainability assessment, project management theory and practice, production management, Geography, building construction, measurement and scaling, research management, administrative processes |
| Topics: | Cost Management, Research Practice, Geographical Context, Project Management, Sustainability, Procurement, Construction Technology, Quality Management, Contract Administration |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
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