GA-based decision support system for housing condition assessment and refurbishment strategies

Refurbishment work involves improvement, upgrading, renovation, retrofit, and repair of existing housing. With limited land usage and being aware of sustainability, the refurbishment market has faced increasing needs worldwide. During the long life cycle period of housing, most residents are undoubtedly faced with refurbishment requirements. However, it is not easy to make assessment and refurbishment related decisions due to the lack of knowledge and experience. This study presents Genetic algorithm-based on-line decision support system (DSS) to hell) residents easily conduct the housing condition assessment and offers optimal refurbishment actions considering the trade-off between cost and quality. Two refurbishment models are developed to explore the relationship among the life cycle cost, restoration cost and improved quality. The result reveals the proposed DSS solves the problems arising from asymmetric information and conflicting interests between residents and contractors, as well as improves traditional housing condition assessment to be more effective and efficient. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.