Identifying building structure factors for urban heat mitigation: a hybrid methodology using Fuzzy Delphi Method and Confirmatory Factor Analysis

Buildings are among the dominant infrastructure in cities. playing critical roles in daily activities. This paper examines on the building structure factors that absorb and, in turn, emit heat into the urban microclimate, making cities urban heat islands that, in turn, contribute to global warming and climate change. Building materials are known for their heat absorption and emission properties. By identifying and minimising the heat absorption propensity of these materials, urban heat can be mitigated. This study focuses on identifying, ranking, and validating Building Structure Factors (BSFs) that influence heat absorption and emission, which contribute to the urban heat island effect, global warming, and climate change. This paper employed a hybrid methodology using the Fuzzy Delphi Method (FDM) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) to identify key Building Structure Factors contributing to urban heat. The findings highlight four main criteria: building design and materials, energy efficiency and technologies, urban morphology, and vegetation and green features. The feasibility of the methods was demonstrated through the robust identification of actionable strategies for mitigating urban heat impacts. The findings offer valuable insights for urban planning and sustainable building practices, supporting efforts to reduce urban heat and enhance environmental resilience.