Development of place-based neighborhood sustainability and resilience certification systems

In neighborhoods where individuals conduct their daily lives and form social relationships, the concepts of sustainability and resilience have become increasingly important. Therefore, sustainability certification systems assess neighborhoods through categorical criteria and indicator-based scoring methods; however, they often lack comprehensiveness, adaptability to local contexts, and participatory approaches. Moreover, while resilience has been addressed in various assessment frameworks, no integrated certification system currently exists. This study aims to develop a model for location-based neighborhood sustainability and resilience certification systems and to to apply this model in a selected pilot neighborhood. The methodology combines content analysis with the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) to incorporate stakeholder input into the decision-making process. Data were collected through fieldwork, structured interviews, and surveys and analyzed using spatial and statistical methods. The findings indicate that the proposed model effectively incorporates both sustainability and resilience and can be adapted to local contexts. Within the framework of the model, evaluation elements were identified, updated, and tested in the pilot area. However, certification could not be achieved for the pilot neighborhood and its sub-regions. Priority recommendations for spatial planning and urban design were developed based on the certification results. Key Words: Neighborhood design, Sustainability, Resilience, FAHP, Certification System In neighborhoods where individuals conduct their daily lives and form social relationships, the concepts of sustainability and resilience have become increasingly important. Therefore, sustainability certification systems assess neighborhoods through categorical criteria and indicator-based scoring methods; however, they often lack comprehensiveness, adaptability to local contexts, and participatory approaches. Moreover, while resilience has been addressed in various assessment frameworks, no integrated certification system currently exists. This study aims to develop a model for location-based neighborhood sustainability and resilience certification systems and to to apply this model in a selected pilot neighborhood. The methodology combines content analysis with the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) to incorporate stakeholder input into the decision-making process. Data were collected through fieldwork, structured interviews, and surveys and analyzed using spatial and statistical methods. The findings indicate that the proposed model effectively incorporates both sustainability and resilience and can be adapted to local contexts. Within the framework of the model, evaluation elements were identified, updated, and tested in the pilot area. However, certification could not be achieved for the pilot neighborhood and its sub-regions. Priority recommendations for spatial planning and urban design were developed based on the certification results. Key Words: Neighborhood design, Sustainability, Resilience, FAHP, Certification System