For several decades, multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods have been in use to address issues particular to design, organisation and management of constructions. This article reviews the history of MCDM methods since their origins to current times. The academic database Thomson Reuters Web of Science Core Collection was used to overview publications that contain keyword “MCDM” and are included in Web of Science Category “Engineering Civil”. The analysis of publications was made according to their year, state, journals and used MCDM methods.

The first part of the paper shortly presented developments of multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) methods and general data about their use in civil engineering, i.e. distribution by years, countries, authors and journals (Zavadskas et al. 2015). The current part of the paper focuses on MCDM application areas and domains. Web of Science Category “Engineering Civil” in Thomson Reuters Web of Science Core Collection academic data base is searched for a topic of MCDM. Only articles and review document types are selected for a detailed survey. They are grouped by Research Areas as presented in Web of Science data base. The most numerous research areas as Construction Building Technology, Transportation, Water Resources and Engineering (other topics) are analysed in detail. Research domains and solved problems are described as well as applied MCDM methods are highlighted. A total of 114 articles are reviewed, showing a wide possibilities of applying MCDM methods for civil engineering problems.

The methods presented in the paper clarify the route of a company towards bankruptcy. The information comes from the so called early warning systems, among which a special attention has been paid to statistical scoring methods. A review of scoring methods informing about the financial standing of a company has been made. Examples have been selected among construction companies listed on Warsaw Stock Exchange. Credibility of models and results has been highlighted. Results point at the fact that the synthetic Z‐score index should be adjusted to economic conditions of a given country, or even to an industry. Santrauka Metodai, pateikiami straispnyje, atskleidžia kompanijos kelią į bankrotą. Informacija gaunama iš vadinamųjų išankstinio perspėjimo sistemų, kuriose daugiausia dėmesio skiriama statistinio taskų (balų) skaičiavimo metodams. Pateikiama taškų skaičiavimo metodų, atskleidžiančių finansinę įmonės padėtį, apžvalga. Pavyzdžiai paimti iš Varšuvos biržos statybos kompanijų sąrašo. Nustatytas modelių ir rezultatų patikimumas. Rezultatai rodo, kad sintetinė Z reikšmė turi būti koreguojama pagal ekonomines konkrečios šalies arba pramonės sąlygas.

This article presents the architect’s attitude towards the paradigms of sustainable development. The place and role of the architect in the implementation of the multidimensional processes of sustainable design are presented. Basic dilemmas and antinomies are presented. The analysis of architects’ attitudes towards these problems is performed in various contexts, examining the architect’s awareness and his/her environment in view of changes under way. The article draws attention to the status of knowledge, changes in design paradigms, legislative and organizational requirements. The importance of architectural culture level, the need for training and ways to support the implementation of new design paradigms through integrated activities are indicated. The research results, regarding public awareness of architecture and sustainable development, are illustrated, with examples from Poland.

Risk, as a factor adversely affecting the project, is taken into account as early as at the first stage of the investment process when the tender is won for a contract. The risk level, identified for a particular construction contract, is a serious factor influencing the decision about accepting the contract or not. The key issue is proper identification of contract risk. The risk factors which have a significant impact on the success of the project, and are most common ones, are then analyzed. The method of verification depends on the company's experience in the construction industry. The task of the article is to present the results of studies focused on separating and determining the frequency of financial risk factors in construction projects and their impact on project implementation. We have analyzed 30 construction projects (office buildings, production halls, educational buildings, demolition works, etc.) completed in north-western Poland. The degree of risk (planned and real) for the contract was set as a percentage in relation to the size of contract (costs in million PLN). The aim of the study was to verify the existence of relationship between the kind of structure, the size of contract, and the scope and degree of risk. Statistical approach has been used. This study is a prelude to determining the contract risks identification procedure (i.e., estimating reserves to be used in unforeseen circumstances) so that the company could be competitive, and the price offer to be provided to investors could be advantageous