Toward Sustainable Inclusive Construction: A Comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment of Disability Needs Requirements in Civil Engineering Projects

The current challenges facing disabilities highlight the pressing need for inclusive practices within civil engineering projects. In light of escalating demands for sustainability and inclusivity, this study evaluates the economic, environmental, and social impacts of inclusive building design compared to non-inclusive structures over a 10-year period. Through a series of analyses including user satisfaction, productivity, economic and environmental factors, operational costs, and risk assessment, the results indicate that inclusive structures not only meet accessibility standards but also offer significant financial savings, environmental benefits, lower CO 2 emissions, and less energy. In quantitative terms, the operation cost, maintenance cost, water usage, waste generation, heat island effect, and the carbon emission equivalent for the inclusive structures were reduced by 18%, 20%, 28%, 33%, 50%, and 38.5%, respectively, as compared to non-inclusive structures. Moreover, the user satisfaction and productivity and the indoor air quality improved by 20% and 25%, respectively, which emphasized that inclusive structures are socially responsible and economically beneficial investments. Although both inclusive and non-inclusive structures exhibited sensitivity to fluctuations, with a 10% increase resulting in a varying percentage increase in total project cost, inclusive structures demonstrated a consistent capacity to maintain economic viability, showcasing their adaptability to varying financial scenarios. Overall, this research underscores the importance of integrating disability needs into civil engineering projects, not only as a social responsibility but also as a strategic imperative for sustainable and inclusive development.