bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A triple-layered one-stop-shop business model canvas for sustainable house renovations
Authors: Pardalis Georgios , Mahapatra Krushna , Mainali Brijesh
Published: November 2020

Triple Layer Business Model Canvas (TLBMC) is a tool helping us to explore sustainability-oriented business model innovation. It extends the business dimension of the canvas with the addition of an environmental dimension based on life cycle perspective and a social dimension based on stakeholder perspective. A combined consideration of the three dimensions of the business model allows us to understand how an organization generates economic, environmental and social values. This paper presents the TLBMC of One-Stop- Shop (OSS) business model for energy renovation of detached houses. This three-layer canvas allows us to under- stand how OSS creates different types of values related to energy renovation, by using elements of life-cycle analysis and stakeholder management. It also contributes to the identification of gaps in research on energy renovation of detached houses, which need to be filled in order to better quantify the benefits of energy efficient renovation in those dwellings and develop such an OSS that will serve better the growing needs of the urban environments of the future.
Business Models in the context of carbon mitigation: New Questions and Approaches illustrated by the Example of Energy Performance Contracting in Germany
Authors: Honold A , Lützkendorf T , Lohse R
Published: November 2020

The German government has set ambitious climate protection targets to limit global warming. The goal is to achieve an energy efficient and almost climate-neutral building stock by 2050. This will require, among other actions, a reduction of the primary energy demand of buildings by up to 95% by the end of 2050. In order to achieve an almost climate-neutral building stock, measures for deep energy retrofit are required. In addition to an existing financial demand, there are additional barriers to the expansion of activities to improve the energy performance and to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the existing building stock. One way to overcome these barriers are novel business models such as Energy Performance Contracting (EPC). The question arises as to whether and how the reduction of GHG emissions can be taken into account in the savings guarantees as they are typical for EPCs. This and other questions are addressed in the paper using conjoint analysis. Among other results, it is pointed out that specific approaches are required for different target groups such as the public sector and private homeowners. Finally, recommendations for further action are given. The presented partial results are drawn from the research work “Analysis of business models with regard to their potential for GHG reduction and energy efficiency of buildings”.
Green Finance Performance and Role of Sustainability Engineers in the Greater Bay Area
Authors: Lee Hei Yan , So Gladys , Tang Ellie , Lam Tony , Cheng Vincent
Published: November 2020

To encourage the implementation of sustainable green features, large scale infrastructure and transportation projects, the Central Government and HKSAR government is keen to promote green finance, determined to develop Hong Kong as the leading hub in the Greater Bay Area region [1]. Since 2016, a series of green finance developments accelerated, including the setting up of Hong Kong Green Finance Association (HKGFA) and the launching of Green Finance Certification Scheme. The green finance development in the Greater Bay Area, in particular Hong Kong, is outlined using a case study of the New World Development Company Limited (“the Group”) approach to green financing and their recently completed project – K11 ATELIER King’s Road. The paper discusses the role of sustainability engineer in green finance project throughout the four components of green finance project by providing technical support to quantify and assess the environmental impacts and benefits. In particular, sustainability engineers can contribute in green finance by developing a standardized benchmarking system on green building environmental impacts and benefits. The need of benchmarking system is discussed using the first green loan project in Hong Kong, K11 ATERLIER King’s Road, as case study. The harmonious collaboration between financial experts and engineering professionals is encouraged in order to push the boundary of sustainability technology. The authors discuss an effective collaboration approach delivered by sustainability engineering professionals to support and create a greater impact of the green finance development in the Greater Bay Area.
SDG indicator set as multi-level and multi-sectorial decision support tool combining national reporting and local knowledge on the built environment
Authors: Mueller André
Published: November 2020

Providing a sustainable built environment through appropriate actions and investment decisions taken by various decision-makers calls for a renaissance of planning and a targeted supply and use of data as information. Data is seen as lowest level of abstraction constituting the basis for creating information and knowledge through interpretation (Dühr et al. 2012). Data as interpreted information and knowledge would eventually turn into decision support systems (Evers 2008) and thus unfold its internal power related to the translation from a complex reality into data as well as its external power referring to the communicative function of data (Söderström 1996). Before completing this turn, data needs to be validated. This is a process that requires both, generating and aggregating data on higher levels of abstraction and governance as well as integrating data, which originates from local sources (Kyttä et al. 2013), while pursuing the objective of providing a multi-level and multi-sectorial decision support tool for purposes of planning and decision-making. The 17 SDGs and their 169 sub-goals as part of the Agenda 2030 as well as the 175 paragraphs of the New Urban Agenda provided as starting points for this provision the basis for collecting in Germany in cooperation with cities and counties official data deriving from multi-level sources (Bertelsmann Stiftung 2018). A set of respective indicators has been developed in cooperation with local authorities and national statistical institutions as well as by using publically available open data sources (e.g. Open.NRW, Hackday Niederrhein) and is currently being tested. Considering the sustainable built environment, it is particularly SDG 11 that bridges between overall planning orientations and detailed building actions. The author of the paper suggests combining national reporting mechanisms and local knowledge, reflecting data sources and indicators in urban and spatial typologies as well as referencing the elements against other cultural approaches and international standards.
Sustainable building material selection: A case study in a Japanese context
Authors: Takano Atsushi , Aiki Masashi , Yasunaga Ryuto
Published: November 2020

The aim of this study was to demonstrate how the choice of building material affects the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associate with the material production phase of a reference building in a Japanese context. The trend of the emission and carbon storage capacity among the five structural frame options was analysed at building, building element and material levels. Based on the results, main points to mitigate the impact were also discussed. Since there thus far been few similar studies in Japan, to aid informed decision making by professionals in the construction industry was aimed, leading to improved sustainability in building design, especially connected to SDGs 9 (Industry, innovation and infrastructure), 12 (Responsible construction and production) and 13 (Climate action).
Environmental performance of solid wood products: review of EPDs and environmentally-based structural design
Authors: Dias André Manuel , Dias Alfredo M. P. G. , Silvestre José Dinis , Brito Jorge De
Published: November 2020

This study reviews the EPDs of structural solid wood (SW) products produced in Europe, using the NativeLCA methodology, and proposes a method to determine the strength classes of these products based on the visual grading procedure given by European standards. The EPDs’ search was performed in the ECO Platform database, and a total of 18 datasets were identified. The analysis of these EPDs found that the datasets of SW products may be grouped according to the processing considered: green products (high moisture content) (three datasets); sawn products (not planed) (five datasets); and planed products (ten datasets). The review of structural data identified that only five datasets provided the strength classes of products. This lack of information on structural properties does not allow a comparison that takes into account the different mechanical performance of the products. In order to enable the comparison of the environmental impacts of products for structural applications, a methodology was developed to estimate the strength classes of these products. This methodology is based on the visual grading procedures of SW products given by European standards and uses the identification of density, and wood’s country of origin and species.
A web-based tool for streamlining environmental decision-making in building design
Authors: Crawford R H , Bunster V
Published: November 2020

The construction industry is an important driver for economic growth, but it is also a major contributor to global energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. A plethora of sustainable design tools and rating schemes have been developed in an attempt to improve the environmental performance of buildings. Regardless of their increasing adoption by the construction industry, much of the existing focus is on improving the operational performance of buildings. However, a more holistic life cycle approach that also considers material production is critical. Despite this, limited information and tools are available that consider the full life cycle at the point where decisions can have the greatest impact – at the early stages of design. This paper presents a web-based tool to assist environmental decision-making by providing information on the life cycle energy loadings of building envelope assemblies at the early stages of design. Real-time embodied energy calculations are combined with cloud-based building energy simulation within a graphical user interface that enables exploration of different alternatives through interactive visualisations. This paper describes the tool, an output of over 10 years of research, and how it can be used to inform building envelope assembly selection to reduce life cycle energy.
Managing Glass Waste in Energy Efficient Building Retrofitting: Barriers and Opportunities for a Circular Economy
Authors: Souviron J , Khan A Z
Published: November 2020

Making cities resilient and sustainable is only possible if the energy consumption of buildings is reduced. Retrofitting is one of the main tools of the environmental policies developed in cold and temperate climates, leading to the replacement of products considered inefficient. This is particularly the case for glazing, which is a key element in the energy system of a building. However, most of the glass waste generated by renovation is landfilled while the development of a circular economy in the glass industry seems today highly challenging. This paper studies barriers and opportunities to increase the recycling and repair of insulating glass units. To do so, we follow three approaches: a literature review, a series of interviews and a case study of a glazed office district in Brussels. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the main issues relating to the management of glass waste in the building sector and underlines the importance of economic instruments to support the spread of sorting and recycling practices. The need to rethink the systems for assembling insulating glass units with a view to facilitating the sorting of their components also appears as a necessary and stimulating path.
Improving healthcare design with BIM-based tools
Authors: Soliman-Junior J , Baldauf J P , Tzortzopoulos P , Kagioglou M , Humphreys J S , Formoso C T
Published: November 2020

It is well known that the quality of healthcare facilities can contribute to health and wellbeing. Healthcare design is complex due to the large amount of information involved, with sometimes conflicting requirements which evolve over time. Therefore, strategies to deal with such complexity and volume of information is key. These include requirements from clients, stakeholders and regulations, structuring and storing design data and also verifying if design solutions are compliant to the briefing and to the regulatory framework. Despite the reported benefits of BIM, there are still gaps on the use of BIM tools in practice to support healthcare design. The aim of this paper is to discuss the benefits and limitations of commercially available BIM tools to support requirements management in general, and rule checking (also refered to as code checking, i.e. regulatory compliance checking) specifically. Design Science Research is the method adopted in this investigation. An empirical study was conducted in collaboration with an institution responsible for Primary Healthcare buildings in the UK. The results discuss the role that two tools (dRofus and Solibri Model Checker) have in supporting requirements management and code checking in healthcare design, their benefits and limitations. A framework is proposed, exploring relationships between the main features of the two BIM tools addressed in this paper and their potential impact on healthcare design. This paper demonstrates that improvements in healthcare design can be achieved by using BIM tools, which might benefit the quality of buildings designed and built, leading to positive health outcomes.
Digitalization of user-oriented demand planning through Building Information Modeling (BIM)
Authors: Theißen S , Drzymalla J , Höper J , Liermann E , Wimmer R , Meins-Becker A , Henne A , Kloster N , Lambertz M
Published: November 2020

Digitalization is accelerating and changing much in our lifestyles and ways of working. In the construction and building sector, this phenomenon is currently gaining acceptance through the Building Information Modeling (BIM) method. As an integral planning method for improving the quality of planning, construction and operating processes, BIM requires a starting point that is defined by demand planning. This paper focuses on recording demand planning digitally and generating it autonomously for basic planning. The aim is to provide planners with a BIM model that is generated early from user-oriented needs with in-depth information and enables considering sustainable and health planning aspects in the future. As a result, BIM and the open BIM data exchange format Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) are used to create a BIM-Model (3D Model) based on user needs, which are recorded by a web application. Thereby planners will be provided with a valuable starting and orientation basis that considers important user requirements. In doing so, maximum user satisfaction and quality will be achieved. Furthermore, communication and participation of users in the planning process will be promoted.
Indoor Climate as a Service: a digitalized approach to building performance management
Authors: Halleberg D , Martinac I
Published: November 2020

Digitalization provides significant opportunities for innovation, new business models, and services for the building sector. This paper describes the implementation of a concept for providing “Indoor Climate as a Service”, based on a case study of digital transformation in a modern office building. This concept can accelerate the energy savings and reduce power demand in the existing building stock by implementing digitalization (sensors and actuation, together with data integration and analytics platform), and providing full incitements for energy investments at the same time as the contracted indoor climate is secured and verified using real-time data. The digital transformation included obtaining data from different sub-systems (climate control, IoT-devices and Space booking system etc.), applying the RealEstateCore ontology to organize the data, and the development of an IoT-Edge computing solution. A key objective of this study is to explore the types and quality of data (for example, from sensor signals) needed to implement the concept in a modern office building. Key indoor air quality and energy performance control parameters were analyzed with relevance to developing a robust business model. The results of the study demonstrate the significant potential of utilizing digital infrastructures for implementing Indoor Climate as a Service.
Citizen participation in Steinkjer: Stories about the “old NRK building at Lø”
Authors: Woods R , Berker T
Published: November 2020

This paper follows the process of developing a pilot project at Lø in Steinkjer, where a zero emission neighbourhood was planned and which included the upgrading of the old offices of the Norwegian Broadcasting Company (NRK) to a zero emission kindergarten. The decision-making process up to March 2018 is described. When the decision to demolish the NRK building and build a new kindergarten at Lø was made, stopping plans for a ZEN pilot project. The decision was based on the wishes of representatives from two kindergartens who were to be co-located in the planned zero emission kindergarten. The paper asks why two different understandings of the needs of the project were established and proposes solutions for avoiding disaffection with projects with high energy and environmental ambitions during the early stages of the development process.

Method. An ethnographic process was carried out by the Research Centre for Zero Emission Neighbourhoods in Smart Cities (ZEN Centre) in collaboration with Steinkjer Municipality in Norway in 2017 and 2018. The process included participant observation, individual semi-structured interviews and group interviews.

Results. During the planning process, the representatives from the kindergartens experienced that they were not heard, and that the needs of the building users were peripheral to the discussions taking place. When the chairmanship of Steinkjer Municipality took the decision to demolish the old NRK building and build a new kindergarten at Lø, the kindergarten representatives finally felt that user needs were in focus. The process is presented and discussed in the form of two main stories. (1) The citizen’s story about the kindergarten at Lø, where the kindergarten representatives’ reasons for their request for a new, rather than upgraded kindergarten building, are told. (2) The story about the ZEN pilot project in Steinkjer, that is external, and concept based. In this story, the reasons for the enthusiasm for the pilot project by Steinkjer municipality and ZEN researchers are explained.
The value of children’s access to safe public space: building urban children’s resilience against the shocks and threats of resettlement in manila, philippines
Authors: Deaton L
Published: November 2020

Access to safe public space is essential in underprivileged communities because the children that live there are the most dependent on the resources of their immediate environment. Scholars have shown that accessibility improves resident’s health, increases community cohesion, and promotes play. Yet, policymakers, planners, and architects struggle to justify access to safe public space in resource-constrained environments such as resettlement programs. Part I compares two in-city and off-city resettlement communities finding that teenagers in off-city resettlement sites face considerable impediments to access. Part II focuses on 16 teenagers’ daily experiences in four off-city resettlement communities concluding that many survive deficient environments by substituting virtual spaces or accessing dangerous spaces.
Drivers, barriers and development needs for LCA in the Nordic building sector – a survey among professionals
Authors: Rasmussen F N , Malmqvist T , Birgisdóttir H
Published: November 2020

Introduction: Design practitioners’ knowledge and understanding of LCA is crucial for the necessary transition to decarbonisation of the built environment, as well as for lowering other environmental impacts. Recently, the Nordic councils of ministers suggested enhancing cooperation and harmonization within the use of LCA in the built environment in order to accelerate climate change mitigation in the building sector. To this end, it is important to identify in which areas harmonization and cooperation is especially needed. This paper presents the results of a survey on the LCA practice among Nordic design professionals in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark. The aim is to analyse the survey results, and to reflect on the implications for further harmonization of method and industry practice within the Nordic region. Method: Survey results for the Nordic countries represent a subset of a larger survey conducted as part of the IEA Annex 72 project about assessing life cycle related environmental impacts caused by buildings. The web-based survey, targeting design practitioners, was carried out from late 2018 to late 2019 within 24 participating countries. From the Nordic countries, 223 respondents accessed the survey and answered one or more questions. Results and conclusions: The survey shows that Nordic building designers, in general, feel personally or professionally committed to applying LCA. However, a main barrier for including LCA in the building design is the perceived lack of incentive as well as a lack of sufficient data and information. Respondents perceive a moderate drive from the public sector and property developers/investors for integrating assessments of environmental performance. Concerning development needs, respondents point towards harmonization efforts within LCA for use within BIM. Results of this survey furthermore reveal the dilemma for the designers between, on the one hand, needing to know all the details of the environmental assessment to learn what drives and controls the results of a project, and on the other hand, needing to convert the results of a project into easily communicable information for the client. This ‘translation’ of results is an additional area of potential harmonization within the Nordic region.
Survey results on acceptance and use of Life Cycle Assessment among designers in world regions: IEA EBC Annex 72
Authors: Balouktsi M , Lützkendorf T , Röck M , Passer A , Reisinger T , Frischknecht R
Published: November 2020

Design practitioners’ knowledge about Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is crucial for the necessary decarbonisation of the built environment as well as the mitigation of other negative environmental impacts. Designers’ attitudes towards LCA have so far been rarely analysed. In 2019, as part of the project IEA EBC Annex 72 “Assessing life cycle related environmental impacts caused by buildings”, a global survey was conducted amongst design professionals within 23 countries. The aim was to investigate the level of awareness and acceptance of environmental performance assessment and LCA of buildings, the use of related information sources and tools as well as the application of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in connection to LCA. The results show that less than one third of designers currently provides or uses LCA services. The ones who do not are mainly constrained by the lack of client demand. To support an increased use of LCA during building design, not only it is necessary to provide related data and design/assessment tools, but also to establish standards/regulations to drive client demand. It is particularly relevant to include such requirements already in the client’s brief. In future, an increased demand for building LCA results by institutional investors is expected.
BIM integrated automation of whole building life cycle assessment using German LCA data base ÖKOBAUDAT and Industry Foundation Classes
Authors: Theißen S , Höper J , Wimmer R , Zibell M , Meins-Becker A , Rössig S , Goitowski S , Lambertz M
Published: November 2020

The life cycle assessment (LCA) of buildings is an important evaluation method for the environmental quality of buildings and their impact on climate and environment. However, this method is time-consuming and cost intensive. Building Information Modeling (BIM) has a high potential to integrate LCA into day-to-day planning. This research project aims to form the basis for BIM (semi) automation of whole building LCA by enabling the integration of LCA data using the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC). The DIN EN 15804 compliant and open access ÖKOBAUDAT is used as the database for LCA data. As a result, a BIM-LCA framework is proposed that includes the development of an Information Delivery Manual (IDM) describing the LCA according to a German assessment system for sustainable buildings (BNB). Based on this, a Model View Definition (MVD) is developed, which defines the software subset of an IFC data model to meet the exchange requirements (ER) for a whole building LCA. Solution approaches for adapting LCA databases and IFC 4 are presented. Finally, a first prototypical implementation of these results for the (semi) automation of whole building LCA is developed. In summary, the proposed IDM and MVD enable identifying the information exchange required to perform an LCA within a BIM-based environment. They also provide the background knowledge to develop a BIM tool to perform an LCA based on the framework proposed. Thereby, this research project contributes to achieve higher environmental quality of buildings by combining sustainable and digital planning methods.
Towards circular life cycle assessment for the built environment: A comparison of allocation approaches
Authors: Malabi Eberhardt Leonora Charlotte , Stijn Anne van , Rasmussen Freja Nygaard , Birkved Morten , Birgisdottir Harpa
Published: November 2020

Introduction. The building sector consumes 40% of resources globally, produces 40% of global waste and 33% of greenhouse gas emissions. The transition towards a Circular Economy (CE) in the built environment is vital to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of climate action and responsible consumption and production. Metrics are needed to support this transition; previous work identified Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as the best method to analyse the environmental performance of the CE. However, current LCA methods focus on the individual system, considering a single lifecycle. Circular assessment requires a systems-perspective: buildings, components, parts and materials have multiple lifecycles. Thus, questions arise about how benefits and burdens should be allocated between systems.

Method. In this study, we compare the potential influence of applying different allocation approaches in LCA method. We calculate the environmental impacts of two ‘circular building components’: (1) a concrete column designed for direct reuse and (2) a recyclable roof felt. We applied four allocation approaches: (a) the cut-off approach stated in EN 15804/15978, (b) the Circular Footprint Formula (CFF) from the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF), (c) the 50:50 approach, and (d) the linearly degressive (LD) approach.

Results. The allocation approaches resulted in notable differences in impact distributions thereby incentivising different CE principles (narrowing, slowing and closing). Due to the long lifespan of building components, concerns regarding uncertainty and ‘green-washing’ resulting from allocation of impacts between cycles arise. However, the LD approach was, for closed-loop systems (such as the ones assessed here), found to be promising: it is simple to use; it creates incentives for narrowing, slowing and closing loops and to design for these in the future; it deals with the uncertainty, material quality and number of use cycles.

Conclusion. The comparison of allocation approaches and first recommendation on an allocation approach provides an important step towards circular life cycle assessment and, subsequently, helps promote the CE concept within the building industry.
The choice of reference study period in building LCA – case-based analysis and arguments
Authors: Rasmussen F N , Zimmermann R K , Kanafani K , Andersen C , Birgisdóttir H
Published: November 2020

Introduction: In building LCAs, the calculations are carried out over a chosen reference study period (RSP), which is commonly set around 50-60 years. When developing the Danish LCA method for DGNB certification, and later for the preparation of the voluntary sustainability class for the building code, longer RSP’s were suggested by technical committees. Therefore, the RSP has been based on a technical approach to the lifetime of buildings, assuming 80 years for offices, 100 years for hospitals and 120 years for residential buildings. In this study, the effects and arguments of a shorter RSP are investigated. Method: LCA-based carbon profiles of 11 building cases were carried out to compare how the RSP influences the results. RSPs of 50, 80, 100 and 120 years were investigated. The building cases represent different use types, structural systems, material choices, on-site electricity generation and installation scope. Results: Results show no notable difference in ranking, the building cases in-between, at RSPs of 50 and 120 years. Further, the relationship between the best and the worst performing building stays around a three-fold difference, regardless of the RSP. Conclusion: The longer RSPs have serious drawbacks regarding the increasing uncertainties associated with the scenarios. Further, annualizing results of longer RSPs entail a fundamental ethical issue of effectively allocating environmental loads to future generations. These specific drawbacks of uncertainty and impacts distribution are reduced by using an RSP of 50 years. The RSP of 50 years thus represents a compromise between ensuring that impacts from replacements of shorter-lived building materials will be reflected in the results, and between encouraging that more emphasis can be put on the crucial material related emissions that affects the global carbon budgets here and now.
Economic, social and environmental impact assessment for off-site construction logistics: the data availability issue
Authors: Brusselaers N , Mommens K , Janné M , Fredriksson A , Venås C , Flyen C , Fufa S M , Macharis C
Published: November 2020

Introduction. The ongoing urbanization trend makes local governments densify their built environment, hence stimulating construction and renovation works in urban areas. Construction intrinsically strongly relies on logistics activities, which in turn are the source of environmental nuisances. The latter are referred to as external costs when they are not borne by the polluter himself, such as greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, congestion, etc. Accurate external cost calculations require accurate data to consider significant calculation-variables. However, current calculations are often based on the number of vehicles used and on transported volume rather than vehicle- or tonne-kilometres, hence not adequate to conduct external cost calculations. Methods. The MIMIC-project1 aims to reduce the impact of construction logistics. Therefore, an integrated impact assessment framework will be developed, assessing the economic and environmental influence of different off-site construction logistics solutions. The necessary data to conduct such an impact assessment are however not always available, complicating calculations. This paper highlights the current gap in accurate data on urban construction logistics flows, the considerable uncertainty about existing figures on construction transport and their methodology, and presents the data availability issue in the development of such a framework, using empirical research. Results. Logistics flows data are typically scattered amongst different actors and various in format. Harmonizing different data categories and sources to feed the framework with relevant logistics variables, this paper presents what is possible to calculate using available data in 4 pilot cases in Belgium, Sweden, Norway and Austria. The various data sources highlight the complexity to develop a framework flexible enough to cope with specific local constraints, whilst generic enough to allow comparability across the European cases, and ultimately across construction logistics globally. Furthermore, a shift is needed towards other data collection methods (GPS, digital waybills etc.). Conclusions. This paper presents the data availability issue in the development of an impact assessment framework for construction logistics, harmonizing different data sources in order to conduct external cost calculations for construction transport.
Resilient and Environmentally Efficient Residential Buildings - Assessment Method and Interim Outcomes
Authors: Volf M , Nehasil O , Malík Z , Hrabal D , Růžička J. , Lupíšek A
Published: November 2020

Historically, the fire-safety orders restricted the use of majority of the nature-based low impact materials in town buildings. Houses therefore became rigid and resilient. Today, we need to return to those materials, but the tradition and public opinion are preventing changes in building habits. This paper describes the work done within a research project, which aims to define a resilient and low impact residential building. The main goal of the research is a development of an assessment method that evaluates the building’s ability to withstand or easily overcome most important threats which may occur in the Central European area. The research team’s objective was to identify the risks, define the crisis scenarios and to provide an exemplary solution that will ensure the necessary resilience of a model building. The method includes environmental criteria with benchmarks set up to fulfil the requirements of the Paris Agreement. This leads the building design towards the low-impact materials and technologies and towards resilience at the same time. The research team developed an assessment method including 20 criteria. A set of buildings has been evaluated and favourable technical solutions have been developed. Based on the results, a design of a model building was carried out. New equipment and technologies were implemented: removable green facade, natural ventilation with solar chimneys, or a hybrid control system managing renewable sources in the building. The next step should be a test of the technology or the overall design in real conditions. The project outcomes show the possibility of reaching a sufficiently solid and robust design of a low-rise apartment building while following a sustainable design approach at the same time.
Local urban climate governance in Nepal: The interplay between national governments and aid agencies
Authors: Bhattarai-Aryal J , Hurley J , Moloney S
Published: November 2020

Multi-lateral aid come from various Bilateral–aid agencies that play a crucial role in supporting developing nations around the world to address climate change issues. Despite significant effort from aid agencies, it is not clear how aid is received and distributed at local level in recipient countries. This paper highlights some of the challenges associated with funding obtained and utilised particularly to address climate change adaptation via case study of Kathmandu, Nepal. This empirical research is funded by the Government of Australia.

This research draws on PhD research including a review of the literature and in-depth interviews with governing actors such as local planners in Kathmandu, climate experts, academics, and community members. The study focused on understanding the impacts of international and aid agency investment in climate action at the local urban scale. Key findings reveal that over the past decade significant resources were spent in capacity building programs nationally, but with limited contribution at the level of local adaptation in the urban regions. Local governing agencies and authorities have little capacity to address urban scale needs. Results of the study suggest that the process of distributing aid funding and evaluation of its impact is not transparent. This raised a number of questions around the legitimacy of governing climate change adaptation programs from the top down.
Lessons from Ostrom & Hess theory of Commons: Participatory Guarantee Systems, a new form of governance for assessing the sustainable built environment
Authors: Cazas J , Hamon V , Berchtold M , Lohe R , Küchler W , Vienot E
Published: November 2020

Third-party certification is the mainstream method for assessing the built environment. Independent accredited external experts evaluate the built environment according to standards generally decided upon at a broad level (national, international).

Yet, assessment tools and certification methods should be contextualized to be consistent with local practices and have a broad impact among stakeholders in the local society. This is the case of Participative Guarantee Systems (PGS), which can be considered as knowledge Commons, in the sense of Hess and Ostrom (2007), proposing a new governance approach for designing, implementing and assessing the sustainable built environment.

A participative study at European level, under the direction of the CESBA (Common European Sustainable Built Environment) association, explored how the PGS principles could be applied to approaches assessing the sustainability of the built environment. A benchmark has been made of the PGS which is in use worldwide for certifying organic farming, as an alternative to third-party certification, creating a new form of local governance by the Commons.

The principles identified through the benchmark were then compared with the actual practices of envirobatBDM, association set in southern France, for certifying sustainable buildings and neighbourhoods. EnvirobatBDM approach is in many ways similar to PGS. The system gives much place to the active participation of the association’s members throughout the evaluation process: co-development of the framework and criteria, support for projects, open evaluation by peers in public events. This assessment process helps to offer a three-loop learning process to generally enhance the quality of decision making, planning, implementation and usage.

This comparison raises the question of whether, as for organic farming, this participatory evaluation could challenge third-party certification offering a path for new forms of locally responsible governance. PGS helps to involve users, raises their capacity to act (empowerment) while being totally focused on local needs. PGS initiates a learning process, diffuses and upgrades knowledge of stakeholders. Interviews with stakeholders in Europe show a rising interest. Could it be a desirable future for sustainability assessment of the built environment?

Topics: New governance approaches for a sustainable built environment
Capacity Building vs Climate Change. A laboratory for the community in transition and the resilient city in the southern suburb of Reggio Calabria
Authors: Leuzzo A , Nava C
Published: November 2020

In the climate change scenario, can active transfer of knowledge to and skills empowerment of peripheral communities trigger a locally rooted transition toward an agile periphery? The ongoing project KnowledgeVsClimateChange [1] is contributing by transferring knowledge and by building competences through an urban laboratory in the southern suburb of Reggio Calabria (Italy). The laboratory is set in line with the “knowledge city” tactic by Pensando Meridiano Association (PM)[2]. The aim is to enhance local actions of climate change adaptation; therefore, global issues are locally framed through a multi-sectoral urban approach. Accordingly, the adopted strategy focuses mainly on: Urban Sustainability, Up-cycle, Circular Economy, Citizen Transition and KETs. Actions are envisaged in congruence with the SDGs: 4, 9, 11, 12, 13. The “learning by making” method is calibrated with respect to di˙erent typologies of targets: it includes training/information seminars on topics, but also direct actions for capacity building. Although this method has been proven in the specific context shown above, it still needs to be investigated if an operative transition model can be extrapolated and recontextualized in other urban contexts. For this investigation, this paper evaluates the first social impacts of the methodology by monitoring the acquisition of knowledge and skills by makers. Based on the results of this paper, it can be concluded that this methodology can contribute in structuring urban agenda programs for the built environment transition, towards the model/prototype of “agile and resilient city”.
A systematic approach for assessing climate vulnerabilities and adaptation options in large property portfolios: influences on property owners’ transformative capacity
Authors: Hjerpe M , Glaas E , Hedenqvist R , Storbjörk S , Opach T , Navarra C
Published: November 2020

Climate change and urban densification pose major challenges to the built environment. In Swedish cities, fluvial and pluvial floods risk being aggravated, necessitating adaptation efforts to make the build environment more resilient. A recent governmental inquiry states that owners are primarily responsible for adapting their property, and that the existing built environment is particularly tricky. Property owners often lack tools and approaches to strategically adapt to climate risks. This paper presents and tests a structured approach intended for large property owners to assess and visualize flood vulnerability in both individual buildings and the property portfolio, and organizational adaptive responses. The approach was developed and tested using the municipal housing company Hyresbostäder in Norrköping, Sweden as case. The study builds on workshops with staff, a systematic flood vulnerability mapping of 575 buildings, and in-situ inspections of the 85 most vulnerable buildings. The vulnerability and need for adaptation of individual buildings were visualized on a map, and adaptive avenues were identified. The approach was found useful for identifying the most vulnerable buildings, concrete adaptation measures and five broad adaptation avenues: risk-focused adaptation investments, area-focused adaptation, regular inspection and maintenance, informed collaboration and tenant dialogues. The property owner’s transformative capacity was improved by creating a shared vision, empowerment and learning, innovation capacity, gaining overview supporting transformative leadership and external cooperation likely to contribute to meeting SDGs 13 and 11. In further studies the approach will be tested by other large property owners under limited research support.
Insights from in-situ measurement of building fabric thermal performance of three zero energy dwellings in UK
Authors: Gupta R , Gregg M
Published: November 2020

In-situ testing of actual building performance is vital to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable cities and communities) in reality, given the growing concern that low energy dwellings often underperform against design specifications. This paper presents the methodology and results of in-situ measurements of the building fabric thermal performance of three zero energy dwellings in the UK, using blower door test (air permeability), heat flux measurement (thermal transmittance/U-value) and thermal imaging survey (heat losses). Despite being designed to high thermal standards, air permeability tests showed that none of dwellings met the design air permeability target, with actual results of 5.4 – 7.5 m3/h/m2@50Pa. Air permeability was found to have increased after the initial test due to post-completion alteration to the fabric, although it remained within the UK Building Regulations requirements. Heat flux measurements showed poor thermal quality of the walls and roof section even for the ‘good’ sections that were measured. Thermal imaging surveys revealed where fabric performance was being compromised. Air leakage pathways were found around door/window openings, penetrations and junctions between walls and ceilings indicating poor workmanship. Insights from this study have reinforced the need to have updated as-built energy models with in-situ performance data to reduce performance gap.
Innovations for a carbon free Dutch housing stock in 2050
Authors: Visscher Henk
Published: November 2020

In 2019 the Dutch government agreed together with all relevant stakeholder organisations on a new Climate Agreement. This agreement combines high ambitions for the reduction of CO2 emissions with policies and measures to achieve these goals. In 2030 CO2 emissions have to be reduced to 49% compared to 1990. In 2050 we should have an CO2 emission free and energy neutral built environment. The existing housing stock plays a major role in the realisation of these goals. The Dutch housing stock comprises of 7.5 million dwellings. The majority of which has to be renovated to a nearly zero energy performance. In a few years’ time we will have to speed up the renovation rate to 200,000 carbon free renovations per year, a pace that is needed to make the entire stock of 6 million homes carbon free in the 30 years up to 2050. To support these goals a large innovation program is needed.

Method: This paper will elaborate on the analyses of the current state and the needed innovations, hereby also referring to results of evaluation research of the progress in energy renovation in the recent years.

Results: The required innovations will be presented in a systemic way. Furthermore, a model is presented of how to organize the innovation (research, applications in practices, pilots etc) in a long running, broad organization incorporating many stakeholders. For this purpose, a new platform, the BTIC (Building and Technology Innovation Center) has been developed. In BTIC all relevant research and innovation parties collaborate closely, like the Technical Universities and the national applied research institute TNO. The author is the scientific director of BTIC.
Grey emission targets for municipalities based on material cadastres
Authors: Schiller Georg , Gruhler Karin , Grießbach Ulrike , Hennersdorf Jörg , Lehmann Ines
Published: November 2020

The building stock contributes significantly to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Considerable progress has been made in the energy-efficient operation of buildings, thus the importance of grey emissions is increasing and will become a future field of action for municipalities as well. So far, there is poor knowledge regarding quantities, fields of actions and impacts. This paper is addressing this gap by applying a bottom-up material flow analysis (MFA) approach on the domestic building stock of Hamburg, and by calculating material-induced grey emissions of alternative building stock compositions as well as impacts of technical and social innovations. Overall, the stock induced grey emissions amount to 41.9 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent. Impact with regard to technical innovations concerning GHG reduction is rather limited. In contrast, impact achieved by ambitious social innovation is quite significant. This means that technical innovations must be considered in a more radical way and merged with social innovations.