A Multi-Criteria Decision Framework for Integrated Rehabilitation of University Buildings: A Case Study of Islamic Azad University of Tarom

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Department of Architecture, ShQ.C., Islamic Azad University, Shahr-e Qods, Iran

10.22034/ats.2026.2092144.1035
Abstract
The rehabilitation and restoration of the built heritage represent a central concern in current international and national policies. In Iran, a significant portion of educational buildings, constructed during the construction booms of the 1970s and 1990s, now exhibit structural deficiencies, seismic vulnerability, and poor energy performance. This study develops an integrated multi-criteria decision-making framework to support the planning and prioritization of rehabilitation interventions for university buildings, simultaneously considering socio-economic sustainability, seismic safety, energy efficiency, and process sustainability. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method is employed to structure the decision problem and evaluate intervention alternatives. The proposed framework is validated through application to a real case study: an educational building of the Islamic Azad University of Tarom in Zanjan Province, Iran. Four rehabilitation scenarios—ranging from minimum to maximum intervention—were evaluated. Results indicate that the "developed" scenario (comprehensive insulation, internal space redesign, and courtyard rehabilitation) achieves the highest priority score (0.368), outperforming the maximum intervention scenario (0.355) due to better socio-economic and process sustainability performance. This research contributes a replicable decision-support tool for university administrators and public authorities, enabling transparent, informed, and cost-effective investment decisions aligned with Iran's 1404 Vision Plan and national energy efficiency regulations.

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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 09 August 2026

  • Receive Date 21 June 2026
  • Revise Date 02 July 2026
  • Accept Date 04 July 2026
  • First Publish Date 09 August 2026
  • Publish Date 09 August 2026