The proyect introduces a MIVES-based multicriteria decision-making framework to prioritize IAQ investments in classrooms

The IAQ4EDU project has conducted an MIVES-based multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) framework to prioritize IAQ improvement investments in classrooms, published in the journal Indoor Air (IF: 4.3, Q1). The article is titled: "A MIVES-Based Multicriteria Framework for Prioritizing Indoor Air Quality Interventions in Educational Classrooms". This study was conducted by Dr. Francesc Pardo, investigator of the project in collaboration with researchers Dr. Rubén-Daniel López, Dr. Stanislav Aidarov and Dr. Dr. Pablo Pujadas, the co-principal investigator of the IAQ4EDU project.

The proposed model combines risk assessment (based on factors such as threat level, number of students at risk, and classroom vulnerability) with a sustainability evaluation across economic, social, and environmental dimensions. Using the MIVES methodology (Integrated Value Model for Sustainability Assessment) and AHP weighting, the framework produces a Prioritization Investment Index for Indoor Air Quality (PIIIAQ) that helps decision-makers rank and select the most effective interventions.

Applied to 14 classroom case studies across Spanish schools, the model identified projects that provide the greatest improvement in IAQ and overall sustainability. The top-performing intervention, involving the installation of a complete HVAC system in a high-risk classroom, achieved the highest score (PIIIAQ = 0.81), demonstrating both strong IAQ improvement and alignment with sustainability goals. The results confirm the robustness and transparency of the framework and enables public administrators to prioritize limited resources effectively.

The study highlights that thermal comfort, energy efficiency, and system flexibility are among the most influential criteria in achieving high performance, underscoring the need to balance health, comfort, and sustainability objectives.

Decision tree for assessing the PIIIAQ.

More details on this study can be found in the online version of the article:

https://doi.org/10.1155/ina/9646142 

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