PurposeCost overruns have been identified as the most significant challenge for construction sector stakeholders. Like many developing countries, the Iranian construction industry suffers from poor cost performance. So, the current research aims to investigate the causes of cost overrun in Iranian construction projects. This paper also reviews the findings of similar studies conducted in several Asian countries.Design/methodology/approachThis paper includes a literature review and a quantitative method with a questionnaire survey. The review is limited to the studies investigating the causes of cost overrun in an Asian country in the last decade. Moreover, the current research was conducted through a questionnaire prepared based on 43 common factors identified through the literature review. The required data were gathered from the representatives involved in handling construction activities in Iran. The collected data were analyzed based on relative importance index (RII), using the SPSS software package.FindingsThe results showed that poor site management, improper planning, fluctuation of prices of materials, lack of experience, and poor economic condition are the critical reasons for cost overrun in Iranian construction projects. The findings also indicated that among the studies conducted in Asian countries, the first three factors have the highest frequency.Originality/valueThis paper highlighted most studies concerning the cost overrun factors in construction projects in different Asian countries in recent years. Up-to-date knowledge helps to understand the complexity of this field in various periods and therefore minimizes the risk of cost overrun. This research can also be used as a benchmark for further studies to clarify similar issues in other developing countries.

This study aimed to plan and validate the product creativity evaluation model in architectural education. According to three product creativity evaluation models: CPAM, CSDS and PCMI. Methodology: The research was applied in terms of purpose and in terms of data collection among descriptive studies was correlational and in terms of method was mixed exploratory research. The statistical population in the qualitative section included all experts in education and creativity in Mashhad. A sample of 10 people was selected by purposive sampling using the principles of theoretical saturation from the mentioned community. In the quantitative part, the statistical population included all university professors in the field of architecture in Mashhad, and 150 people were selected by random sampling. The required data was collected in the summer of 2020 using semistructured interviews and upstream documents in the qualitative phase. The measurement tool in the quantitative section was a researcher-made questionnaire whose construct validity was calculated using factor analysis, and the reliability value through Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.82. The researcher carried out qualitative data analysis using the thematic analysis coding approach developed by Braun and Clarke and quantitative data analysis using the partial least squares method. Findings: The results revealed that five components with 12 indicators make the status of novelty with two markers of originality and surprise. Relevance to the problem includes two indicators of regulatory compliance and practicality. In addition, the effectiveness of solutions has three indicators, namely meeting the needs of contacts, being environmentally friendly, and having durability. Design elements include two indicators, details (well-defined component) and elegance, and the collection of design elements contains the three indicators of harmonization, completeness, and wellformation (well-crafted) at the 95% confidence interval (p = .001). In addition, confirmed element analysis of the obtained components revealed that all factor loads were significant, and there is an acceptable agreement between the creativity model of architectural design products and the data. The heavy element load related to novelty (0.91) and the light one are related to the collection of design elements. Conclusion: Based on the findings, it can be concluded that according to the experts, the factor of novelty, such as originality and surprise, along with functional factors such as relevance, effectiveness, and artistic factors consisting of the design of elements, and the collection of design elements affects the designing creativity evaluation model of problem-solving results.

Explaining the components and Indices of environmental sustainability in Iran's educational spaces, with an emphasis on green educational building evaluation systems; [Beheshty, et al; 2014] A sociological study of the impact of attitudes on energy consumption; [Bernardi, et al; 2017] An analysis of the most adopted rating systems for assessing the environmental impact of buildings; [Keung; 2016] Green building-building planning and massing; [LEED 2009 ;2016] LEED for schools-new construction v2009; [Lee; 2012] Benchmarking energy use of building environmental assessment schemes; [Mahdavi Nejad, et al; 2014] Dilemma of green and pseudo green architecture based on LEED norms in case of developing countries; [Majrohi Sardorood, et al; 2017] Evaluation of green building rating criteria in world standards and proposed standards for Iranian standard formulation; [Meybodi; 2015] Proposing a model of green schools assessment in Iran using fuzzy multi-criteria decision making methods; [Meybodi, et al; 2016] Developing standard criteria for geen schools in Iran; [Mohamadjani & Yazdanian; 2014] Analysis of the situation of water crisis in the country and its management requirements; [OECD ;2001] The DAC guidelines, strategies for sustainable development; [Ramli, et al; 2012] A comparative study of green school guidelines; [Sadeghi, et al; 2017] The impact of renewable energy on economic growth and environmental quality in Iran Aims & Backgrounds Today, environmental developments, climate change, and energy problems are major challenges in the world. Although Iran has been at the beginning of sustainable development regarding the buildings sustainability evaluation systems and has developed general guidelines and standards in this area, no effective action has been taken about schools. The present study aim is to determine priorities and sustainability indicators of designing sustainable educational spaces in Iran. Methodology This study is descriptive-analytical in nature and descriptive applied-development in terms of purpose. The method of data collection is library-based and questionnaires are completed by experts. Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is used to determine the importance and weighting of components and indicators. Findings Based on the hierarchical analysis of the components and indicators obtained from previous research, three components of energy, water and site design, as well as three indicators of water recycling, using renewable energy and optimizing water use for landscaping and irrigation were ranked as first to third. Conclusion The tables and analytical charts showed that the priority and the rating of the effective factors on environmental sustainability in Iranian educational spaces include: energy, water, site design, indoor quality, materials, regional priority and design innovation. Among indicators, water recycling, renewable energy use and optimization of water use for landscaping and irrigation are ranked first to third.