A Multi-Criteria Framework for Assessing the Performance of Sustainable Construction Materials and Practices in the Built Environment in Kenya
Abstract
The construction sector remains a critical driver of Kenya’s socio-economic growth, yet it is also a major contributor to resource depletion, waste generation, and greenhouse gas emissions. Despite the emergence of sustainable materials and green practices, there is no harmonised framework for evaluating their performance within Kenya’s built environment. This study addresses that gap by developing a multi-criteria assessment framework integrating environmental, economic, and social indicators. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from construction professionals through structured questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression in R. Findings revealed that economic durability and energy efficiency are the most significant predictors of sustainability (R² = 0.7502, p < 0.001). The aggregated mean of 4.18 (SD = 0.97) across 14 parameters confirmed that sustainability performance is multi-dimensional and interdependent. The study concludes that Kenya’s construction industry requires a localised, evidence-based framework that combines subjective expert weighting and objective data validation. Policy recommendations include embedding sustainability assessment criteria in national construction standards, incentivising lifecycle-based material evaluation, and institutionalising continuous capacity-building on sustainable design and practice. Future studies should expand the framework by incorporating technological and regulatory dimensions to strengthen Kenya’s transition toward resilient, low-carbon construction systems
Downloads
References
Akadiri, P. O., & Olomolaiye, P. O. (2012). Development of sustainable assessment criteria for building materials selection. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 19(6), 666– 687. https://doi.org/10.1108/09699981211277568.
Akadiri, P. O., Olomolaiye, P. O., & Chinyio, E. A. (2013). Multi-criteria evaluation model for the selection of sustainable materials for building projects. Automation in Construction, 30, 113– 125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2012.10.004
Akhanova, G., Nadeem, A., Kim, J. R., & Azhar, S. (2020). A multi-criteria decision-making framework for building sustainability assessment in Kazakhstan. Sustainable Cities and Society, 52, 101842. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2019.101842
Arukala, S. R., Pancharathi, R. K., & Pulukuri, A. R. (2019). Evaluation of Sustainable Performance Indicators for the Built Environment Using AHP Approach. Journal of The Institution of Engineers (India): Series A, 100(4), 619– 631. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40030-019-00405-8
Athapaththu, K. I., & Karunasena, G. (2018). Framework for sustainable construction practices in Sri Lanka. Built Environment Project and Asset Management, 8(1), 51–63. https://doi.org/10.1108/BEPAM-11-2016-0060
Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research desing: qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches (Vol. 54). United State of America: Sage Publications.
Iwaro, J., Mwasha, A., Williams, R. G., & Zico, R. (2014). An Integrated Criteria Weighting Framework for the sustainable performance assessment and design of building envelope. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 29, 417– 434. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2013.08.096
Odongo, E. W., Lamka, A. H. V., & King’oriah, G. K. (2025a). Significant Factors Inhibiting The Use Of Sustainable Construction Materials And Practices In The Built Environment. International Journal Of Building Materials And Components, 3(2), 1–23. Https://Doi.Org/10.34218/Ijbmc_03_02_001
Odongo, E. W., Lamka, A. H. V., & King’oriah, G. K. (2025b). Status and Impact of Sustainable Construction Materials and Practices Utilization in the Built Environment in Kenya. Journal of Building Construction and Planning Research, 13(03), 108–132. https://doi.org/10.4236/jbcpr.2025.133005
Olawumi, T. O., & Chan, D. W. M. (2021). Green-building information modelling (Green-BIM) assessment framework for evaluating sustainability performance of building projects: a case of Nigeria. Architectural Engineering and Design Management, 17(5– 6), 458– 477. https://doi.org/10.1080/17452007.2020.1852910
Owusu-Manu, D. G., Babon-Ayeng, P., Kissi, E., & Aigbavboa, C. (2022). Green Financing of Infrastructure Projects in the Construction Industry: Case of Sub-Saharan Africa. In Emerging Debates in the Construction Industry (pp. 78-97). Routledge.
Owusu-Manu, D.-G., Babon-Ayeng, P., Kissi, E., Edwards, D. J., Okyere-Antwi, D., & Elgohary, H. (2023). Green construction and environmental performance: an assessment framework. Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, 12(3), 565– 583. https://doi.org/10.1108/SASBE-07-2021-0120
Reddy, A. S., Kumar, P. R., & Raj, P. A. (2019). Preference based multi-criteria framework for developing a Sustainable Material Performance Index (SMPI). International Journal of Sustainable Engineering, 12(6), 390– 403. https://doi.org/10.1080/19397038.2019.1581853
Saaty, T. L. (1982). The analytic hierarchy process: A new approach to deal with fuzziness in architecture. Architectural Science Review, 25(3), 64-69.
Wayodi, O. E., Absalom, L. H. V., Oriah, K., & Kinoti, G. (n.d.). Strategies to Accelerate Adoption of Sustainable Construction in the Built Environment. International Journal of Novel Research in Civil Structural and Earth Sciences, 12, 14– 21. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17107454
Zadeh, L. A. (1965). Fuzzy sets. Information and control (Vol. 10).
Copyright (c) 2025 Edna Odongo Wayodi, Absalom Habil Vugigi Lamka, George Kinoti King’oriah
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
