Building Systems Innovations in Urban Housing Production: a Planning Application of the Analytic Hierarchy Process

Abstract

The use of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is proposed and illustrated for the planning of Systems Buildings and evaluation of alternative building systems components in the production of urban housing. A comparative analysis and evaluation of “industrial” (Systems Building) and conventional building technology is made via AHP in planning for an appropriate typology of housing production for the hypothetical conditions of a developing country. AHP renders a holistic methodological framework for the characteristically multidimensional design and planning problems involving multiple criteria, and measurement of trade-offs, in the process of optimizing or choosing among alternative technological innovations.

Keywords:

• Analytic hierarchy
• Building systems
• Planning
• Systems
• Urban housing