Evaluation of indicators and management of urban green infrastructure development in developing cities using fuzzy decision making methods

Mahdyeh Noorafkan¹ Abbas Tajeddini² Mohammad Kherad Ranjbar³

1) Master’s Student, Department of Civil Engineering – Construction Management, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran (Email:
2) Department of Civil Engineering, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran
3) Housing and Building Research Center, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran

IOI Code : AACH-AACFCD
Publication : 7th.International Conference & 8th.National Conference on Civil Engineering, Architecture, Art and Urban Design(8iccacs.ir)
Abstract :
    Development of Urban Green Infrastructure as a Key Strategy for Addressing Environmental, Economic, and Social Challenges in Developing Cities The development of urban green infrastructure is a critical approach to tackling environmental, economic, and social challenges in rapidly growing cities. However, due to ambiguities in data and expert opinions, identifying effective indicators requires robust decision-making methods, such as fuzzy techniques. This study focuses on determining and prioritizing the key indicators for developing urban green infrastructure in developing cities, with an emphasis on Karaj, Iran. To achieve this, the study employs the Delphi method, Kendall’s W test, Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP), and Fuzzy TOPSIS for data analysis and prioritization of sub-criteria. The research gathered opinions from 37 experts from four leading companies specializing in green infrastructure and sustainable development in Karaj, selected from a total of 41 experts using the Cochran formula. After multiple rounds of surveys, a relative consensus was achieved. The Kendall’s W test indicated a high level of agreement among evaluators, with a concordance coefficient of W = 0.947. The results identified water resource management and use of native plants and elements as the highest-priority sub-criteria, while flexible and climate-adaptive design and energy efficiency in infrastructure were deemed less significant. Using FAHP, the final prioritization of sub-criteria ranked water resource management, use of renewable energy, and energy consumption reduction as the top priorities. Additionally, Fuzzy TOPSIS analysis ranked the options, placing the use of green technologies in construction as the top strategy, followed by managerial reforms in second place, and cultural development for infrastructure in third. The study proposes strengthening and improving water resource management as the primary recommendation for advancing urban green infrastructure development.

Keywords : effective indicators for urban green infrastructure development sustainable development and fuzzy decision making methods