Critical factors for practicing sustainable construction projects in environmentally fragile regions based on interpretive structural modeling and cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification: A case study in China

Abstract Sustainable construction projects (SCPs) effectively promote sustainable environments and social development. However, practicing SCPs in environmentally fragile regions (EFRs) has been greatly overlooked in prior studies. This study aimed to identify the critical factors (CFs) and their interrelationships for practicing SCPs in EFRs. A total of 19 CFs for practicing SCPs in EFRs were identified through a systematic literature review (SLR) and a case study of the Triple River Holing-through (TRH) project in Korla City (KC). Interpretive structural modeling (ISM) was implemented, and cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification (MICMAC) was conducted. A six-level hierarchical model was thus established, and the degrees of relationship between CFs were obtained. The results showed that the 19 CFs had a strong hierarchy and interrelationships. The CFs in the independent quadrant were regarded as the most influential ones. Moreover, the professionalism and experience of the project management team and a clear definition of responsibilities had the highest driver power. Improving the two CFs will increase the probability of SCP success and benefit SCP performance. The findings provide environmental considerations for SCP practitioners. The study approaches can help illuminate the interrelationship between CFs and achieve success in SCPs.