Driving Multi-Dimensional Value Realization in Green Retrofit of Existing Residential Communities

Green retrofit of existing residential communities (GRERC) is critical for upgrading aging building stocks, but their true value extends far beyond physical improvements. A successful retrofit must simultaneously deliver economic, social, and ecological benefits. However, in practice, the value realization is often constrained by a complex network of interdependent factors. This study maps these underlying structures. We first extracted a preliminary set of variables from existing literature and case studies, validating them through survey data. By applying Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) and Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) techniques, subsequently, the reciprocal influences and the multi-level structural organization within the identified system were mapped. Our analysis isolates three foundational drivers: government evaluation standards, policy incentives, and ecological awareness. Crucially, these elements do more than exert direct pressure—they dictate the systemic transmission pathways that enable value realization. To bridge the gap between policy and practice, regulators must prioritize making evaluation standards practically actionable. Furthermore, scaling GRERC effectively will require redesigning incentive mechanisms to attract broader social participation and dramatically improving public access to retrofit information.