Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Model for Evaluating Affordable and Sustainable Housing Alternatives
Mike Ikemefuna Nwafor, Daniel Obokhai Uduokhai, Rasheed O Ajirotutu
Abstract
The provision of affordable and sustainable housing in developing regions presents complex challenges, requiring the integration of economic, social, and environmental considerations. This develops a Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) model to evaluate and rank housing alternatives based on multiple performance dimensions, enabling evidence-based selection of optimal construction solutions. The model incorporates criteria spanning cost, structural reliability, environmental sustainability, thermal performance, material availability, construction feasibility, and lifecycle maintenance requirements. Weighting of criteria is determined using expert consultation and analytic hierarchy processes to reflect the relative importance of social, technical, and environmental priorities in low-income housing contexts. A structured assessment framework is applied to a set of housing alternatives, including conventional masonry, stabilized laterite blocks, compressed earth blocks, and prefabricated modular systems. Each alternative is evaluated through quantitative measures, such as material cost, compressive strength, energy efficiency, and lifecycle emissions, as well as qualitative indicators including social acceptance, adaptability, and constructability. The MCDM model integrates these criteria using a weighted scoring and ranking system, allowing for transparent comparison across alternatives and identification of trade-offs between affordability, sustainability, and performance. Sensitivity analysis is conducted to examine the robustness of rankings under varying weight allocations, highlighting the impact of stakeholder priorities and policy objectives on decision outcomes. Results demonstrate that stabilized laterite and compressed earth block systems offer the most favorable balance between cost, environmental performance, and structural reliability for low-rise residential applications, while conventional masonry remains competitive in terms of durability but incurs higher economic and environmental costs. The study emphasizes the value of systematic, multi-criteria evaluation in guiding housing policy, design decisions, and material selection, particularly in resource-constrained contexts. The proposed MCDM framework provides a replicable, evidence-driven tool for architects, engineers, and policymakers to optimize housing strategies that are economically viable, environmentally sustainable, and socially acceptable.