Sustainability Components Affecting Decisions for Green Building Projects

Construction process is the broad mechanism for the realization of human settlements and the creation of infrastructure that supports development. This includes the extraction and beneficiation of raw materials, the manufacturing of construction materials and components, the construction project cycle from feasibility to deconstruction, and the management and operation of the built environment In Greece, the complex problems shared by cities are evidence of the impacts of urban sprawl. This research aims to investigate the sustainability components affecting decisions for green building projects. The research method is based on a questionnaire survey of thirty two participants who asked to assess nine sustainability components namely: Life cycle assessment, energy efficiency and renewable energy, water efficiency, environmentally preferable building materials and specifications, waste reduction, toxics reduction, indoor air quality, smart growth and sustainable development and environmentally innovative projects, which affect the decisions for green building projects. The respondent results indicate how participants prioritized the sustainability components ensuring a better quality of life inside buildings based on the principals of “green” buildings economy. Energy efficiency and renewable energy is considered of high priority followed by the reduction of toxic materials, indoor pollution and water saving.