Multi-criteria assessment model on environmental ergonomics for decision-making in schoolyards based on remote-sensing and GIS resources

Abstract

The consequences of global warming have led to an acceleration of action strategies towards efficient and passive renovation work in the building stock. Most existing schoolyards are becoming obsolete with respect to current bioclimatic design patterns, for which a lack of methodological studies and diagnosis mechanisms in outdoor spaces has been identified. This research aims to design a multi-criteria assessment model on environmental ergonomics for the identification of feasible and passive measures that improve comfort conditions in schoolyards. The innovation of this system lies in its basis on weighting data that combines 12 qualitative, quantitative, and graphical parameters by using remote-sensing algorithms and GIS resources, leading to major insights regarding remote information acquisition capabilities for the promotion of bioclimatic actions in schools. The model is applied and tested in 6 representative pilot schools to demonstrate its operation and replicability. An innovative graphic output of results provides a significant research outcome, which contributes towards the visualisation of the diagnosis on environmental ergonomics and identifies potentials and weaknesses for decision-making. The conclusions focus on methodological insights and implications from an integral diagnosis for schoolyards, thereby serving as a decision-support system to identify optimal interventions that would ensure a more appropriate environmental performance.