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Sustainable Design in Large-Scale Infrastructure Projects Crucial for Minimizing Environmental Impacts

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Sustainable design in large-scale infrastructure projects is crucial for minimizing environmental impacts while ensuring long-term financial feasibility, as stated by researchers from the University of Tabuk. The study, focusing on selecting the most sustainable pavement solution for airport construction, used Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia as a case study. The research evaluated four pavement alternatives using a multi-criteria decision-making approach to identify the optimal solution in terms of sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and feasibility. The alternatives were assessed based on nine key criteria, including environmental impact, durability, cost, and maintenance.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study used a multi-criteria decision-making approach to evaluate four pavement alternatives for airport construction, with the goal of minimizing environmental impacts and ensuring long-term financial feasibility.
  • The alternatives were assessed based on nine key criteria, including environmental impact, durability, cost, and maintenance, using the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method.
  • The Fuzzy Analytic Network Process (FANP) method was used to calculate the criteria weights, addressing uncertainties and interdependencies in the decision-making process.
  • The Geographic Information System (GIS) was integrated to incorporate spatial factors affecting pavement sustainability.
  • The study found that the alternative using recycled materials (A4) is the most suitable, offering the best balance of sustainability and cost.
  • The study demonstrated the effective application of decision-making tools, such as TOPSIS, FANP, and GIS, in guiding sustainable infrastructure development.
  • The research provides a replicable framework for similar projects worldwide, using the Tabuk Airport project as a case study.
  • The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Tabuk, including Abderrahim Lakhouit, Ghassan M. T. Abdalla, Eltayeb H. Onsa Elsadig, and others.
  • The study highlights the importance of sustainable design in large-scale infrastructure projects, emphasizing the need for minimizing environmental impacts while ensuring long-term financial feasibility.

Statistics:

  • 4 pavement alternatives were evaluated in the study.
  • 9 key criteria were used to assess the alternatives, including environmental impact, durability, cost, and maintenance.
  • The Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method was used to rank the alternatives.
  • The Fuzzy Analytic Network Process (FANP) method was used to calculate the criteria weights.
  • Geographic Information System (GIS) was integrated to incorporate spatial factors affecting pavement sustainability.
  • The alternative using recycled materials (A4) achieved the highest ranking in the evaluation, making it the recommended choice for the upcoming Tabuk Airport project.

Sources:

  • Sustainable Airport Planning Using a Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Approach with Fuzzy Logic and GIS Integration. Buildings, 2025, 15(10):1749. (Buildings - http://www.mdpi.com/journal/buildings)
  • NewsRx. Research on Sustainability Research Described by Researchers at University of Tabuk (Sustainable Airport Planning Using a Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Approach with Fuzzy Logic and GIS Integration). Ecology, Environment & Conservation. June 13, 2025; p 732.

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