Operational Resilience in Construction Projects: Identification and Prioritization of Urban and Civil Engineering Megachallenges Using the Best-Worst Method

Ayda Gholidokht¹ Ali Mohaghar² Rohollah Ghasemi³

1) M.Sc. Student of Supply Chain Management, Department of Production and operations Management, Faculty of Industrial Management and Technology, College of Management, University of Tehran, e-mail: , ORCID: 0009-0006-8366-6466
2) Professor, Department of Production and operations Management, Faculty of Industrial Management and Technology, College of Management, University of Tehran, e-mail: , ORCID: 0000-0002-9844-1714
3) Assistant Professor, Department of Production and operations Management, Faculty of Industrial Management and Technology, College of Management, University of Tehran, e-mail: (Corresponding Author), ORCID: 0000-0002-1793-3988

IOI Code : AACH-ABHDEH
Publication : 7th.International Conference & 8th.National Conference on Civil Engineering, Architecture, Art and Urban Design(8iccacs.ir)
Abstract :
    Construction and urban systems face systemic megachallenges beyond traditional risks, requiring a reconceptualization of operational resilience. This study identifies and prioritizes these challenges for District 6, Tehran, via a Scopus indexed literature review (2020–2025) and the Group Best Worst Method (BWM) with six senior experts. Eight megachallenges were identified: climate change; geopolitical instability, sanctions, and material price volatility; skilled labor shortages; public health crises; urban infrastructure decay; financial constraints; environmental regulations; and cybersecurity threats. The analysis yielded an Input Based Consistency Ratio of 0.0833, confirming excellent reliability. Geopolitical instability and material price volatility dominate (weight: 0.3336), followed by financial constraints (0.1864). Urban infrastructure decay and cybersecurity threats received equal weights (0.1243 each), indicating that physical and digital vulnerabilities are perceived as equally critical. Climate change, labor shortages, environmental regulations, and public health crises ranked lower. These findings provide actionable insights for construction stakeholders and urban policymakers, enabling evidence based resource allocation and strategic intervention design in resource constrained environments.

Keywords : operational resilience construction projects megachallenges best worst method urban infrastructure tehran