This study conducts a comparative sustainability assessment of industrial heritage revitalization projects in Iran using the German DGNB rating system. Three prominent industrial heritage sites (Karaj Iron Foundry, Tehran Silo and Rey Cement Factory) were selected to evaluate the relative contributions of the six DGNB sustainability domains (environmental, economic, sociocultural and functional, technical, process and site quality). The research aims to provide a localized and heritage-oriented framework for decision-making in the adaptive reuse of industrial heritage in Iran.
The study adopts a descriptive–analytical and comparative approach. Data were gathered from documentary sources and structured questionnaires completed by 30 experts. The analytic hierarchy process was applied using Expert Choice software to prioritize and score DGNB criteria, with inter-rater reliability assessed via intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC = 0.87). The analysis included within-case evaluations, cross-case comparison through matrices and heatmap visualization, and sensitivity analysis for robustness.
Results show that process and environmental quality consistently contribute the most across all sites, while economic quality ranks lowest. Environmental quality dominates in the Rey Cement Factory due to the industry's polluting nature; process quality is most influential in the Karaj Iron Foundry, reflecting complex management and regulatory challenges; and the Tehran Silo exhibits a balanced emphasis on process and environmental quality, aligned with its role in food security and urban development. The findings underscore the lack of sustainable economic models and the underutilized potential of sociocultural values.
The assessment relies primarily on documentary data and expert judgment, limiting the incorporation of long-term quantitative performance data (e.g. actual energy use or economic returns). Limited field assessments and accessibility constraints may also affect result accuracy.
Policymakers and urban managers should prioritize sustainable economic models, enhanced community participation, and circular economy strategies. Experience-based tourism and heritage-oriented adaptations can address economic weaknesses while strengthening cultural identity and environmental resilience.
This is the first comparative application of the DGNB framework to Iranian industrial heritage sites, integrating heritage-specific instruments (e.g. Nizhny Tagil and Burra Charters) and offering a localized, holistic tool for sustainable heritage management. By bridging international standards with non-Western contexts, the study contributes to global discourse on adaptive reuse in developing countries.
