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Purpose: Green walls (GWs), comprising living walls and green facades, have been touted as environmentally friendly products in architectural design. GWs can be viable in every aspect of sustainability; they provide residents of buildings with a wide range of economic, social and environmental benefits. Despite this, the adoption rate of GW is still in its infancy stage, and the existing literature concerning the hindrances inhibiting GW adoption is very limited. To address these gaps, the aim of this paper is to identify and prioritize the hindrances to GW adoption in Hong Kong. Design/methodology/approach: After identifying 17 hindrances through an in-depth review of literature, the fuzzy Delphi method (FDM) is employed to refine the hindrances based on the local context with the help of 21 qualified experts in the field. Subsequently, Fuzzy Parsimonious Analytic Hierarchy Process (FPAHP) is exploited as a recently developed technique to prioritize the identified hindrances. Findings: Results reveal that the most significant hindrances to the adoption of GW are maintenance cost, high installation cost, difficulties in maintenance, sophisticated implementation and inducement to fire. Findings call for scholars to address ways to improve GW installation practices and methods in order to eradicate the hindrances and provide lessons for policymakers, assisting them in facilitating the larger-scale adoption of GW. Originality/value: Considering the dearth of studies on hindrances to the adoption of GWs, this paper provides a comprehensive outlook of the issue, providing knowledge that can be used as a building block for future scholars within the field. It also provides valuable insights for stakeholders within the construction industry about the hindrances to the adoption of GWs which could direct their efforts toward better implementation of it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, an assessment model based on multi-layer fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method (FCE) of classroom acoustical environment is proposed. The model classifies five major factors affecting overall assessment model into several subsets alternatives. The weightings of these main criteria and alternatives were collected through questionnaires among students based on analytic hierarchy process methodology (AHP). An evaluation score was calculated from the proposed model with the weightings generated from AHP method. In this paper, classrooms in the Hong Kong Polytechnic University were used to develop the assessment model. The result shows that the evaluation score of PolyU classrooms is about 87.2, which refers to “Good” evaluation set. It indicates that classrooms in PolyU needs to be improved. The weightings generated from AHP method can be considered for the importance of each alternatives. The assessment model can provide proper recommendation to universities for acoustic treatment so as to increase the acoustic quality of the educational environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Groundwater vulnerability zonation investigation is conducted for GHM Greater Bay Area. • Three different perspectives are comprehensively considered in this study. • Groundwater risk, function value and contamination status are superposed using the AHP method. • Quantification and visualization of groundwater contamination prevention regionalization. • The AHP-DRASTICH model is an effective method to evaluate the groundwater risk in shallow aquifers. The groundwater contamination assessment and prevention regionalization are an important part of groundwater investigation, which is of great significance to groundwater environmental management and contamination control. Although the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GHM Greater Bay Area) has faced significant groundwater contamination since 2020, there's been no investigation into its vulnerability zonation. In this paper, groundwater in a typical area of south China was taken as the research object. We analyzed groundwater contamination risk by considering both the groundwater vulnerability and the load from contamination sources. Using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method, we superposed the groundwater risk, function value and contamination status, and realized the quantification and visualization of groundwater contamination prevention regionalization. Based on the DRASTIC model, the zones of low, moderate, high, and very high vulnerability are respectively 14.2 %, 24.28 %, 37.67 %, and 20.45 % of the study area. Results show that the groundwater vulnerability grade in the area is III-IV, which means it is easy to be polluted. The functional value of groundwater in the south-central part of the region is relatively high. Most of the areas with high prevention and control levels are located in plain areas and the Piedmont plain area with an area of 460 km2. The secondary control levels (key protection area) are mainly located in the middle, southwest, and northeast of the plain, with an area of 6944 square kilometers. Consequently, the ideas and contamination prevention zone maps might provide a scientific foundation for long-term planning and management and groundwater conservation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and peripheral zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In the study, a five-dimensional-safety risk assessment model (5D-SRAM) is developed to improve the construction safety risk assessment approaches available in the literature. To that purpose, a hybrid multi-dimensional fuzzy-based model is proposed, which provides a comprehensive ranking system for the safety risks existing in a project by considering the contextualization of the construction-related activities resulting in an accident. Design/methodology/approach: The developed 5D-SRAM is based on an amalgamation of different fuzzy-based techniques. Through the proposed fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method, the importance weights of essential risk dimensions playing role in defining the magnitude of the construction-related risks are obtained, while a precise prioritized ranking system for the identified safety risks is acquired using the proposed fuzzy technique of order preference similarity to the ideal solution (FTOPSIS). Findings: Through the application of the proposed 5D-SRAM to a real-life case study – which is the case of green building construction projects located in Hong Kong – contributions are realized as follows: (1) determination of a more complete range of risk dimensions, (2) calculation of importance weightings for each risk dimension and (3) obtainment of a precise and inclusive ranking system for safety risks. Additionally, the supremacy of the developed 5D-SRAM against the other safety assessment approaches that are commonly adopted in the construction industry is proved. Research limitations/implications: The developed 5D-SRAM provides the concerned safety decision-makers with not only all the crucial dimensions that play roles toward the magnitude of safety risks posing threats to the workers involved in construction activities, but also they are given hindsight regarding the importance weights of these dimensions. Additionally, the concerned parties are embellished with the final ranking of safety risks in a more comprehensive way than those of existing assessment methods, leading to sagacious adoption of future prudent strategies for dealing with such risks occurring on construction sites. Originality/value: Numerous studies have documented the safety risks faced by construction workers including proposals for risk assessment models. However, the dimensions considered by such models are limited, generally constrained to risk event probability combined with risk impact severity. Overlooking other dimensions that are essential towards the calculation of safety risks' magnitude culminates in overshadowing the further adoption of fruitful mitigative actions. To overcome this shortcoming, this study proposes a novel 5D-SRAM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban land optimization in urban agglomerations plays an important role in promoting territorial spatial planning to achieve high-quality development, land ecological suitability (LES) is one of the important variables influencing its urbanization and needs to be considered in urban growth simulation and modeling. This research proposed a multi-objective urban land optimization (MULO) model based on the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II) which integrates the LES assessment. MULO starts with LES analysis based on a fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and a minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) model. Then, two-step linear regression is used to optimize the quantity structure of built-up land. Finally, suitability and compactness are assigned to NSGA-II as objectives to obtain optimal spatial patterns. Taking the example of the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area, we found that all the newly added built-up land in 2030 is distributed in peri-urban areas around the original settlements, with approximate clustering in the northern part of Guangzhou and the southern part of Foshan under a balanced development scenario. This study highlights the importance of LES in urban growth modeling, and MULO can provide effective support for the spatial planning of urban agglomerations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Senior housing with age-friendly design and elderly care services contributes to the health and well-being of older people. Previous research has evidenced that the immediate environment factors of senior housing, such as the design of housing features and facilities, have a direct bearing on the satisfaction and quality of life of older people. However, external environment factors, such as political, economic, and social ones that affect key stakeholders' behaviors in senior housing development, are relatively under-researched. Accordingly, this study aimed to explore the external environmental factors influencing the development of senior housing. Taking Hong Kong as case study, this study first commenced with a systematic review to identify the factors in political, economic, and social domains from global evidence. Following this, we interviewed local experts from academia, industry, and government to solicit their opinions on the relative importance of these factors. We then determined the factor rankings using the analytical hierarchy process method. The results showed that local experts perceived economic factors as the most critical ones in influencing senior housing development in Hong Kong, including land costs, funding from financial institutions, and government incentives. If policymakers tend to promote senior housing in densely populated cities like Hong Kong, the policies should be attractive for housing developers, such as land premium concessions and innovative financial channels for supporting the long-term development of senior housing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modular integrated construction (MiC) is a groundbreaking innovative technology, transforming the traditional construction into a value-driven assembly of free-standing volumetric modules that are manufactured in a factory and installed on site. Because MiC has been gaining the attention of local construction stakeholders, it is imperative to assess the feasibility, challenges, and critical success factors (CSFs) for implementing MiC in Hong Kong. Existing literature has disclosed the CSFs from the worldwide perspective, but investigation on the applicability of these generic CSFs in Hong Kong is missing from the existing literature. Therefore, this study has first thoroughly explored the feasibility, challenges, and CSFs through literature synthesis and then shortlisted the CSFs relevant to Hong Kong through structured discussions from MiC researchers in Hong Kong. A questionnaire survey on the relevant factors is then conducted to (1) determine the relative importance of CSFs through pairwise comparisons using an analytical hierarchy process (AHP) by dividing the CSFs into five categories: industry factors, government factors, stakeholder factors, performance-driven factors, and project-specific factors; (2) determine the performance level of each CSF; and (3) quantify the feasibility index of MiC. The CSFs are further validated through expert interviews. The most significant CSFs found using AHP are client's understanding and willingness, suitable site characteristics and layout, and establishment of government legislation. Experts have also revealed the most significant challenges facing the MiC industry in Hong Kong and provided worthwhile recommendations on improving the contemporary situation. The topmost challenges are limitations of transportation, onsite transportation of MiC modules, and shortage of knowledge and experience. This study has also proposed a useful feasibility index that employs the performance levels and aggregate global weights of CSFs to evaluate the feasibility of MiC projects. Three case studies are carried out to substantiate the effectiveness of the MiC feasibility index. Performance levels of CSFs are calculated for each case study. It is found that the CSFs grouped under the categories of industry factors and government factors need improvement to enhance the feasibility of MiC projects in Hong Kong. In essence, this study provides checklists and valuable guidance to ameliorate the successful implementation of MiC in Hong Kong. The feasibility index is an easy and handy tool for future projects' implementation and empirical studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indoor environmental quality (IEQ) is co-determined by several environmental factors (thermal, indoor air, lighting, and acoustics). In this paper, a four-layer IEQ assessment model for university classrooms was proposed based on fuzzy comprehensive evaluation (FCE) methods. The assessment model was evaluated based on a survey with a sample of 224 respondents in selected eight university classrooms in Hong Kong. Besides, objective measurements were performed in each classroom. Several parameters were included, such as operative temperature, C O 2 concentration, illuminance level, and A-weighted background noise level in the measurements. Then a set of prediction formulas were proposed to illustrate the relationships between IEQ and the environmental factors. The analysis results showed that the quality of the thermal environment was the most essential factor in the indoor environment. The results also discussed the significance rankings of sub-factors based on the weightings calculated from the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). The methods can give proper suggestions to authorities to manage the appropriate treatment and improve the indoor environmental quality. It is also useful for indoor environment design based on the proposed prediction formulas. •An assessment model of indoor environmental quality is proposed based on four-layer fuzzy comprehensive evaluation methods. • The weightings of environmental factors are generated from the analytic hierarchy process to represent the proportion of the alternatives. •Subjective surveys and objective measurements are conducted in eight university classrooms. •Relationships between indoor environmental quality and environmental factors are proposed by predicting formulas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]