Estimating the Renovation Cost of Water, Sewage, and Gas Pipeline Networks: Multiple Regression Analysis to the Appraisal of a Reliable Cost Estimator for Urban Regeneration Works

Water, sewerage, and gas infrastructures play a crucial role in optimising the housing quality of buildings and cities. On the other hand, water, sewer, and gas pipelines constantly need maintenance, checks, and repairs. These interventions require large budgets, and therefore scrupulous investment planning is necessary. In this study, Multiple Regression Analysis (MRA) is applied to estimate the urban renovation costs related to the works on water, sewage, and gas networks. The goal is to build a reliable cost estimator that is easy to apply and has a minimum number of explanatory variables. Four regressive models are tested: linear, linear-logarithmic, logarithmic-linear, and exponential. The analysis is implemented on two datasets of projects carried out in Italy: the first collects the data of 19 projects made in historical centres, while the second collects the data of 20 projects made in the peripheries. The variables that impact costs the most are selected. In terms of results, the estimated functions return an average error of 1.25% for historical centres and 1.00% for peripheral areas. The application shows that a differentiation of cost functions based on the urban context is relevant. Specifically, two different functions are detected: exponential for historical centres and linear for peripheral areas. In conclusion, we interpret that the exponential growth of costs in historical centres depends on a series of critical issues (logistical, architectural, etc.), present to a lesser extent in the peripheries, which complicate the execution of the interventions. The approach adopted, which led to the detection of cost functions differentiated based on the urban context, allows us to benefit from more accurate modelling that considers the places’ specificities.