Identifying the key roles of a multicriteria framework for designing sustainable urban bridges in Ethiopia

Abstract

This research investigates the role of using a multicriteria framework during the process of designing a sustainable urban bridge. A framework is a basic structure underlying a system, concept, or method. It is a hypothetical depiction of a complex entity or process. On the other hand, a multicriteria framework comprises several criteria or attributes that relate to the widespread usage of difficult-to-understand ideas, concepts, and approaches. The general purpose of such a framework is to make it easier to apply sustainable urban bridge design for infrastructure improvement. A literature review and a questionnaire survey are used in the study to identify the most important roles. The survey study, using a structured questionnaire, was applied to samples (n = 204) of practicing professionals in an urban bridge infrastructure design. A principal component analysis was carried out to pinpoint the key components. As a result, the multicriteria framework predominantly addresses sustainability principles in design practice and also guides and facilitates all bridge design processes, from conceptual analysis to final design outputs.