Multi-Dimensional Sustainability Assessment of the Construction Sector in Jordan

• Construction sector in Jordan was assessed using Sustainability Window analysis. • Four different sets of indicators combining 10 indicators across 3 dimensions were evaluated. • Economic growth met environmental and most social sustainability criteria. • Employee compensation failed to meet social sustainability in all scenarios. • Policy reforms are needed to improve water/fuel use and labor inclusiveness. This study aims to holistically assess the sustainability of the construction sector in Jordan and to recommend corrective actions to enhance performance and address key deficiencies. Ten representative indicators were selected to reflect the economic, social, and environmental pillars of sustainability. The Sustainability Window (SuWi) analysis, a multidimensional assessment tool, was used to evaluate the sector under four different sets of indicators. In set 1, gross value added was chosen as the economic indicator; water consumption represented the environmental aspect, while social indicators included the number of accidents, total Jordanian employees, and employee wages. Set 2 mirrored set 1 but replaced water with fuel consumption as the environmental indicator. Sets 3 and 4 used the total value of completed projects as the economic indicator, with environmental and social indicators similar to those in sets 1 and 2. Results indicated that economic growth in the construction sector satisfied all environmental sustainability criteria and met social criteria when the number of accidents and the number of Jordanian employees were used. However, when employee wages were considered, the social criterion was not fulfilled. To the authors’ best knowledge, this is the first study to apply the SuWi framework to holistically evaluate the sustainability of Jordan’s construction sector. The findings provide policy-relevant insights that can support national efforts to enhance local employment, improve resource efficiency, and promote a more inclusive and environmentally sustainable construction industry.