Developing Residential Building Sustainability Assessment Framework: Delphi Consultation Approach

Abstract Green building rating systems aim to evaluate and improve the environmental performance of buildings. While international rating systems are recognized global scale, others are adapted to the specific requirements of countries. The Moroccan Building Sustainability Assessment Framework (MBSAF) for residential buildings was developed using a triple bottom line approach to sustainability, explicitly reflecting Morocco's environmental, economic, and social priorities. Assessment categories were selected through a two-round Delphi method, applying experts from academia, architecture, and engineering consulting firms. Interrater Agreement demonstrated progressive consensus, with Kendall's W progressing from 0.12 to 0.25. Chi-square across 28 degrees of freedom confirmed the convergence of expert opinions and highlighted the influence of professional affiliation on judgment patterns. The final MBSAF framework comprises 13 assessment categories and 50 subcategories. Health and well-being (HW), Energy efficiency (EE), and Life Cycle Cost (LCC) emerged as the highest priority categories. Developed collaboratively with a panel of local experts, the framework reflects national sustainability needs while remaining methodologically robust. Behind its contextual relevance, MBSAF demonstrates how locally adapted rating systems can coexist with international systems, enhancing local applicability while supporting cross-border comparability, knowledge exchange, and collaboration in sustainable construction.