TOPSIS Model (TOPMod) Tool Assessment and Validation for the Sustainable Redevelopment of Abandoned Public Office Buildings

Abstract

Public building abandonment has a detrimental impact on the advancement of a nation such as Nigeria. Rebuilding such infrastructure sustainably poses several challenges, as identified in the literature. A flexible and dynamic approach is required by decision makers that draws on a range of attributes, alternatives and criteria. This study aims to assess a sustainable, accessible and flexible tool that decision makers can use in place of engaging with complex mathematical calculations and formulas. To test the validity of the tool, two sets of participants (first Demonstration/pilot study – 7 participants and second Demonstration/Expert Validation − 11 participants) were identified for the testing and the validation of the tool. A quantitative data collection approach, making use of a survey and a case study, was considered the most appropriate approach for this study following the demonstration of the model to the participants. From the four alternatives: Refurbishment, Conversion, Demolition and Outright selling, supported with embedded mathematical formulas and calculations, the validated tool presented refurbishment as the most flexible and optimal solution. This study argues that the integration of this tool into the redevelopment process enhances the recognition of a range of solutions for abandoned public buildings in Nigeria. In addition, it concludes that incorporating suitable model configurations into an appropriate tool can foster appropriate decision-making procedures