Investigating parameters affecting maintenance of heritage buildings in Egypt Hoda Abdelrazik Head of Sector, Ministry of Housing Utilities and Urban Communities, Cairo, Egypt, and Mohamed Marzouk Cairo University, Giza, Egypt Abstract Purpose – Maintenance of heritage buildings in Egypt is essential for extending their life and preserving them in a good condition for current use and future generations. The purpose of this paper aims to study the significant parameters to be taken into consideration in the decision-making process for maintenance of heritage buildings. Design/methodology/approach – This research identifies and analyzes the parameters affecting maintenance decision-making process using relative importance index method. Sixty-three parameters were collected from the literature and were categorized into six groups. The feedback of 15 experts who represent owners’ representatives and consultants in the field of maintenance and preservation of heritage buildings was obtained through a questionnaire survey and analyses were conducted on the results. Findings – According to the highest values of the relative importance index method, the top 10 influencing parameters are determined. A comparison between feedback of the two groups of experts is conducted. Statistical analysis is carried out to test the parameters, revealing a strong correlation between structural and geotechnical groups of parameters. Originality/value – Parameters affecting decision-making for maintenance of heritage buildings were identified, influencing parameters can be used to compare between heritage buildings in greater need of maintenance than others. Keywords Heritage buildings, Buildings maintenance, Questionnaire survey, Statistical analysis Paper type Research paper Introduction Egypt has set laws and legislations that govern and protect architectural heritage including National Monument Preservation law (Law No. 117 in 1983). For example, Law No. 119 in 2008 regulates the works of the National Organization of Urban Harmony and Areas of Outstanding Value, whereas, Law No. 144 in 2006 regulates the Demolition of Unthreatened Buildings and the Conservation of the Architectural Heritage. Nevertheless, Egypt’s architectural heritage witnesses a state of deterioration. Several historic structures are closed or partially opened to the public because they suffer from medium to severe deterioration in the form of cracks, tilting, increased level of ground water and exposure during the replacement of neighboring modern buildings’ subsurface infrastructure. Moreover, many of these structures have experienced damaging earthquakes across their lives. Therefore, there is a drastic need for implementing a scientific and systematic process for building maintenance and preservation. Egypt’s heritage is one of the most valuable and diverse in the world, with a vast number of monuments belonging to different historical era alongside the Nile River and adjacent to both the Mediterranean and Red Sea shores. Heritage buildings provide character and tangible connection to the past; they reach back and link current generations to identity and history, which cannot be easily replaced. However, Egyptian built heritage is subject to numerous threats. Many buildings are subject to partial or full destruction. Beside intentional Parameters affecting herit- age buildings in Egypt The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at: https://www.emerald.com/insight/2398-4708.htm Received 13 September 2020 Revised 12 November 2020 Accepted 29 November 2020 International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation © Emerald Publishing Limited 2398-4708 DOI 10.1108/IJBPA-09-2020-0078