Sustainable material selection for the reconstruction of historical buildings using building information modeling (BIM) in developing countries

The sustainable reconstruction of deteriorated and historical buildings, particularly within the urban fabrics of developing countries, presents a complex challenge that requires a delicate balance between preserving historical and cultural heritage and achieving sustainable development goals. This research aims to fill the gap by providing a comprehensive and systematic framework for selecting sustainable materials to reconstruct historical contexts. The novelty of this study lies in its presentation of a novel integrated methodology that combines Building Information Modeling (BIM) for accurate simulation, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for measuring environmental impacts, and the COPRAS multi-criteria decision-making model for the optimal ranking and selection of building materials. This framework was implemented in a case study on the historical fabric of Shiraz, Iran. The simulation results indicated that using optimized sustainable materials, which combine local materials and modern technologies, leads to an approximate 25% reduction in annual energy consumption and a 30% reduction in carbon emissions compared to conventional materials. Ultimately, this research introduces a practical, data-driven approach that, while preserving historical authenticity, significantly improves the environmental performance of reconstruction projects and can serve as a valuable guide for architects, urban planners, and policymakers in similar contexts.