bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Need for Sufficiency in the Built Environment: Prospective Life Cycle Assessment of the Austrian Building Stock
Authors: Alaux N , Obrecht TP , Saade MRM , Passer A
Published: July 2024

Around 38% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are related to buildings. In Austria, most building-related industries designed roadmaps to net zero GHG emissions by 2050. However, there is little evidence whether this will be enough to stay within the climate limits, or if a more drastic approach is needed. In this paper we investigate the potential need for sufficiency in the built environment to stay within the latest 1.5-2°C carbon budget, including expected future technological developments. We implement a set of energy and industry transition scenarios to a building stock model, including an increase in circularity, and compare the resulting carbon emissions (both operational and embodied) with the carbon budget. Results show that, even with ambitious decarbonization pathways for Austrian industry, the projected rates of construction do not allow for staying within the carbon budget. On the contrary, additional sufficiency measures such as slightly reducing the average living area per person are a great lever for reducing GHG emissions and, with carbon removal, might be the only options left to comply with the climate targets.
Lessons learnt from a regional workshop to develop a transformational plan for the built and urban environment to meet the UNSDGs in 2030
Authors: Wallbaum H , Fudge C , Hagy S
Published: July 2024

Urgent transformational change and action within the built environment is needed as it accounts for a large proportion of CO2 emissions and is rapidly growing. A partnership with UN Habitat and Mistra, the Swedish foundation for strategic environmental research, was established to lead a high-level expert workshop for Northwest Europe to develop transformative roadmaps to lead us from current practice to a built and urban environment scenario where the 2030 UNSDGs are achieved. The workshop, aiming to act as a pilot for similar workshops to be held in other parts of the world, was organized around four worksheet sessions that guided the participants through a co-creative process to share and draw on their expertise generating and iteratively narrowing down ideas to actions. The workshop was held over 2 days with 30 participants from various countries and disciplines engaged in the built environment. A wide range of topics was identified to be focused on for action, however, 6 key themes were agreed upon as priorities: Renovation and adaptive reuse, Process and methods, Social sustainability, Nature and biodiversity, Infrastructure, and Sustainable livelihoods. The work towards realizing sustainable cities and buildings is ongoing and the pilot workshop is one step towards building collaborative capacity and facilitating regional, context-based action towards a sustainable transformation of the built environment.
Beyond Survival: Developing Sustainable and Resilient Refugee Shelters through Biomimicry
Authors: Al-Sehail N
Published: July 2024

This study explores the use of biomimicry as a vital response to the urgent demand for sustainable and resilient refugee shelters. Recognizing the challenges faced by displaced populations due to climate disasters, it emphasizes the critical need for substantial improvements in shelter solutions. By embracing biomimicry principles that emulate nature’s efficiency, resilience, and adaptability, the study proposes environmentally conscious and resource-efficient shelter structures under a practical framework that meets immediate needs, contributes to climate mitigation, and harnesses nature’s innovative potential. The research methodology involves a comprehensive investigation utilizing architectural modelling, drawings, and the comparative analysis of various shelters. Through the meticulous assessments of photographs, structures, and diagrams, alongside extensive data aggregation, an informed analysis is presented. Utilizing computational tools and drawing inspiration from nature’s resilient strategies, this study presents a design methodology that applies the sustainable principles of biomimicry to effectively balance the construction of new settlements with the preservation of existing ecologies. By analysing diverse refugee shelter designs, including tarp-based tents, traditional shelters using local and industrial materials, transitional shelters, shelter kits, and climate-adapted tents, the study presents a practical biomimetic framework that responds to their limitations. Addressing challenges such as structural integrity, insulation, and adaptability, biological strategies are abstracted and applied through computational design processes to provide a tailored framework to assist designers in the development of refugee shelters. Amidst the exacerbating effects of climate change, this research highlights the untapped potential of biomimicry in creating sustainable and resilient refugee shelter settlements. By integrating advanced computational tools and a nuanced understanding of biological models, it establishes a framework for effective shelter development that prioritize sustainable and resilient shelter solutions worldwide.
Interdependencies and tradeoffs in embodied and operational energy use, carbon emissions, and embodied water use of buildings
Authors: Kamazani M A , Dixit M K , Shanbhag S
Published: July 2024

Buildings exert substantial influence on worldwide energy consumption, carbon emissions, and the depletion of freshwater resources. The endeavor to formulate ecologically conscious and energy-efficient building designs constitutes a multifaceted optimization, owing to the intricate interdependencies within the building energy-carbon-water nexus. This paper proposes an innovative multi-phase and multi-objective genetic framework that combines Energy Plus with databases containing embodied energy, embodied carbon, and embodied water data. This integrated approach enables the holistic assessment and optimization of operational and embodied energy and resulting carbon emissions and embodied water footprint under weather condition. By manipulating design variables such as geometrical and envelope-related parameters, the framework identifies the optimal building configuration. This methodology is applied to an office building model located in Dulles, Virgina, achieving optimization across three phases for present weather data: operational energy-embodied energy trade-off, operational carbon-embodied carbon trade-off, and total carbon and embodied water reduction. The results show a conflict between total carbon emissions and embodied water consumption. In the initial optimization stage, total operational energy decreases by 6.8 %, whereas its embodied energy by 1.8%, compared to the original design. In the second phase, there are reductions of 8% and 12.2% in operational and embodied carbon footprint, respectively. The third optimization phase leads to an 8.7 % reduction in total carbon emissions and 43.7% increase in embodied water.
The Challenge of Modeling Tracked Electricity Consumption in EPDs: An Example for Building Materials
Authors: Alaux N , Treyer K , Passer A
Published: July 2024

In life cycle assessment, electricity consumption can be modeled with a “physical mix,” reflecting regional electricity generation and trade, or with a “virtual mix” based on guarantees of origin (GO). For environmental product declarations, modeling the electricity mix based on GOs is sometimes the preferred approach taken by program operators. However, this is currently only applied to foreground data, while background electricity mixes rely on databases typically providing physical mixes. This simultaneous use of mix modeling methods not only raises a consistency issue but also a double-counting problem, because renewable electricity claimed in the foreground by GOs can still be used in the physical electricity mix used in the background. We propose a first exploration of how the environmental impacts of building material production could change with a partially consistent virtual mix approach. In the foreground, we assume that material producers cover their electricity demand with renewable electricity tracked with GOs. In the background, only the remaining untracked electricity (residual mix) is left and applied where data availability allows. High variations are observed in the impact indicators climate change (biogenic, land use and land use change) and ionizing radiation. Our analysis is a first step towards more consistent electricity consumption modeling.
Driving cross-sector synergies through holistic building decarbonization in Hong Kong – AIRSIDE: a landmark grade A office & retail development
Authors: Wu J , Au S , Wong V , Chow C , Chan H , Lam T , Cheng V
Published: July 2024

This paper examines how a collaborative and holistic design and operation framework can drive building decarbonization through case study. In Hong Kong’s evolving real estate landscape, developers of new commercial developments are striving to be carbon-efficient by incorporating sustainable infrastructure from the early stages. However, tenant participation is crucial for successful decarbonization, as they consume up to 50% of electricity in the building life cycle and contribute to significant carbon footprint through water usage and debris waste. The case study of AIRSIDE, a 178,000m2 commercial development in Hong Kong’s central business district, demonstrates an approach to accelerate decarbonization. AIRSIDE goes beyond traditional measures by implementing tenant-focused strategies like smart waste sorting and utility sub-metering. Furthermore, AIRSIDE adopts the net positive lease incentive scheme and a carbon-tracking smart platform to track and quantify tenant emissions, fostering a common goal of carbon reduction. The building’s collaborative spirit in decarbonization is evident through partnerships with cross-sector green practitioners, which create win-win opportunities such as developing upcycled fabric as fit-out material. AIRSIDE stands out as a unique decarbonization pioneer, constantly testing on innovations from design to operations. This paper emphasizes the critical role of awareness and momentum in achieving effective carbon reduction within the built environment, adopting a cross-sectoral approach to decarbonization.
Optimizing designs for net zero emission buildings – technical and conceptual feasibility in a Norwegian context
Authors: Rasmussen F N , Bohne R A , Kvande T
Published: July 2024

This paper investigates how a redesign of five single-family houses can comply with the Norwegian definition of a net zero emission building (ZEB). Central to the ZEB definition used in this study is the assumption that greenhouse gas emissions (GHGe) can be compensated by exporting generated electricity from photovoltaic (PV) systems, thus avoiding emissions from grid-mix. The redesigns were made as part of a master’s level course where five student teams followed an iterative process with three main steps, where 1) the energy efficiency of the building was improved with passive and active measures. Results from this showed how energy demand was reduced, on average, by one-third in the building cases. 2) Selection of materials with low GHGe-intensity was in focus. Results showed how the ZEB designs were 1.5-2.5 times more GHGe-intensive than the base case designs, mainly due to the application of PV systems. 3) remaining life-cycle GHGe were compensated via on-site PV electricity generation and exports. Resulting designs included mounted and integrated PV systems and exported, on average, 14,000 kWh annually. Key learnings from the process were the challenges in adapting an existing design without altering the architectural expression. Hence, ZEB design should preferably begin at the conceptual design level. Additional learnings relate to the sensitivity in parameter setting for the in-use scenarios, specifically the degradation rate of the PV panels and the ZEB-factor for GHGe compensation (132 g CO2eq/kWh used in this study). An outlook from the study relates to the ZEB definition itself, internationally developing towards requirements for active GHGe removals from the atmosphere as a more stringent type of emission compensation.
Exploring the Influence of Household Agent-Based Modelling on Whole-life Decarbonisation of Residential Buildings
Authors: Chan M , Foliente G , Seo S , Hui F K P , Aye L
Published: July 2024

Besides the operational and embodied carbon associated with the physical building, how significant is the influence of the heterogenous nature of household decision making in whole-life decarbonisation of the housing sector? This paper investigates the effects of explicitly considering these factors through agent-based modelling (ABM) of households integrated in bottom-up building stock modelling considering typologies of physical houses (existing and new/future) and different households, and how these might evolve to 2050 in the State of Victoria, Australia. The state population is represented by household typologies based on socio-economic status, tenure, and decisions as influenced by financial, physical/family needs and behavioural factors. The ABM is implemented using Python MESA software and the different house typologies’ whole-life carbon are calculated using the Australian Zero Emission House (AusZEH) modelling software and the Environmental Performance in Construction (EPiC) LCA database, respectively. Considering household decisions yielded higher operational carbon reduction on average across various scenarios, however these have less impact on reducing embodied carbon. And in Victoria, with increasing trends in population and housing demand, embodied carbon dominates whole-life carbon (WLC) outcomes. The heterogeneity of household decisions cannot be ignored and should be further studied along with embodied carbon reduction strategies and a broad range of scenarios that consider the dynamic and uncertain nature of factors that drive and influence the WLC of buildings.
Understanding Household Cooking Fuel Choice of the User Segments in Urban India
Authors: Tiwari V , Jana A , Bandyopadhyay S
Published: July 2024

The residential sector of India is the second biggest energy consumer globally, amounting to 29% of the net national consumption. In the residential sector, cooking accounts for the highest share of energy consumption. In India, approximately 30% of the urban population used polluting fuels as primary cooking fuels as per the latest consumer survey. Given the projection of the urban population growth in India, it is imperative to understand the variables affecting cooking fuel choices. The current literature, however, assumes the population under the study area to be homogeneous, but in countries like India, the heterogeneity is relatively high. In this study, the urban population was segmented using K-Means Clustering and Multinomial Logistic Regression Analysis was applied to each segment to study the variables influencing their cooking fuel choice. The data from the Household Consumer Expenditure Survey conducted by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) of India was used for the study. The analysis shows that the same variables influence the fuel choices of different socio-economic household segments differently. This research contributes to the existing literature by analysing fuel choice through socio-economic segmentation, thus allowing future trend prediction from a cross-sectional study.
Accessing Hidden Material Flows in the Swiss Built Environment: A Parametric Predictive Model for Building Systems’ Components Reuse Estimation
Authors: Xiong S , Escamilla E Z , Habert G
Published: July 2024

The global construction industry plays a pivotal role in resource consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, emphasizing the urgent need for sustainable development practices. Despite this urgency, a major challenge lies in the lack of effective resource utilization models that are consistent with the principles of a circular economy. This gap hampers progress towards sustainable resource management, especially given the trend towards urbanization and growing material needs. To address this challenge, our study introduces a Parametric Prediction Model (PPM) designed to improve resource utilization efficiency with a special focus on building systems materials, which are often neglected in previous studies. The model employs a building-by-building approach to accurately assess material inventories within the building system using local databases, thereby increasing the granularity of system composition data. By utilizing state-of-the-art machine learning algorithms, i.e. linear regression and neural network, the model can handle both categorical and non-categorical data. To illustrate the effectiveness of the model, we show a sample material flow analysis schematic using a typical radiator assessment as an example. The schematic provides predictive and concise information about material flow at aggregated level as well as individual details such as location and timing at local level. The resulting output - a refined and comprehensive database - contributes to more informed decision making in sustainable resource recovery and allocation. In addition, this contribution is aligned with broader goals, including waste minimization and resource efficiency in the built environment.
Exploring key factors to achieve circularity for end-of-life electric vehicle lithium batteries in Australia
Authors: Furtado A , Iyer-Raniga U , Shumon R , Gajanayake A
Published: July 2024

Globally, there has been an increase in the production and deployment of lithium batteries (LiB). Specifically, this is due to the recent energy transition and electrification of vehicles. However, as the dependence of electric vehicles (EV) continue to increase, a large volume of LiBs are expected to reach end-of-life (EOL) in the coming years. The circular economy approach has been proposed for EOL EV LiBs to intensify the application of products and minimize waste. Circular business models (CBMs) act as a tool to implement this approach and create value-adding opportunities for businesses. However, research focusing on the development of CBMs from an Australian context is sparse. This research aims to explore the Australian context to achieve circularity for EOL EV LiBs from the perspective of key stakeholders within the value chain and identify key strategic outcomes to minimize the disposal of EV LiBs in landfill. The findings revealed that a lack of government policies is a major barrier to achieve circularity for EOL EV LiBs. Additionally, repurposing of EV LiBs faces a greater challenge than recycling. Hence, we propose adopting a repair + reuse + recycle CBM as a suitable outcome to mitigate the concern of EOL EV LiB waste considering the built environment context. Recommendations include involving stakeholders from the government and academia groups to explore the development of CBMs in Australia.
The Importance of Conscious Decision-making when Securing Carbon Savings Through Building Transformation of Wooden Warehouses Into LKR Innovation House, Denmark
Authors: Hansen Dr. H.T.R. , Feifer L.
Published: July 2024

This paper presents an inspirational case-study discussing architectural design and methods used in the light-tech retrofit building and low-carbon building design. The paper furthermore presents the lessons learned from applying LCA calculations to inform the decision-making process. The VELUX Group is transforming former storage warehouses into a new innovation centre in Østbirk, Denmark. The warehouses that were originally constructed as full timber buildings in 1995, are now being transformed from unheated storage spaces into a state of the art innovation centre for VELUX. Sustainable design criteria were carrying features in the design programme, with focus on lifecycle analysis calculations, documentation according to the Voluntary Sustainability Class in the Danish Building regulations, indoor climate simulations with state of the art daylight calculations, as well as performance in the the Active House standard. The winning design transforms a beautiful timber warehouse into a light-tech building design preserving as large quantity of existing materials and elements on site. In conclusion the paper finds that the use of LCA calculations, which have been updated throughout the design and construction processes, has enabled conscious decision-making and significant reduction of the CO2e emissions from material production and building operations. Significant carbon savings have been secured throughout the design and construction processes by raising awareness with all stakeholders about what affects the CO2e emissions from the building design. Examples of conscious decisions made during the process have been: 1) Reuse of existing concrete floor slabs, 2) Reuse of existing timber structures and facades, 3) Reuse of existing roofing membrane, 4) Biobased floor slabs and walls for new structures and walls, 5) On-site re-purposing of materials from facades inside the building and 6) Product selection based on EPD-data, durability, buildability and costs.
On the Reconstruction of Old Buildings in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
Authors: Chang K F
Published: July 2024

The 2022 Q4 data published by the Real Estate Information Platform of the Ministry of the Interior stated that 4.62 million buildings were more than 30 years old, accounting for approximately 51% of the total number of buildings in Taiwan. Since Taiwan is located in a high seismic zone and old buildings have a low seismic resistance. With the emergence of an aging society, where many old buildings are occupied by older people or even older people living alone. Furthermore, old buildings need elevators, making house sales and mortgages difficult. To encourage people to participate in the reconstruction of old buildings, the Ministry of the Interior announced the implementation of the Statute for Reconstruction of Urban Unsafe and Old Buildings on May 10, 2017. Buildings owners who met the Statute for Reconstruction of Urban Unsafe and Old Buildings requirements were expected to value and participate in the program. This study focused on Kaohsiung City and included in-depth interviews with ten people, including experienced architects, banks, willing applicants, and real estate agencies. Using the MAXQDA result analysis, this study discovered that the interviewees paid attention to the reconstruction of unsafe and old buildings 299 times in total: execution of reconstruction of unsafe and old buildings (90 times, 39.30%), policy on the reconstruction of unsafe and old buildings (61 times, 26.64%), incentives for the reconstruction of unsafe and old buildings (47 times, 20.52%), and subsidies for the reconstruction of unsafe and old buildings (31 times, 13.54%). Therefore, when promoting the reconstruction of unsafe and old buildings in the future, the Kaohsiung City government should first address “execution” issues, such as difficulties in executing the reconstruction program and obtaining bank loans; developing a feasible financial plan for the reconstruction of unsafe and old buildings; and assisting willing applicants in successfully securing bank loans.
The use, energy use and renovation of Swedish second homes in winter sport areas
Authors: Mjörnell Kristina , Johansson Dennis
Published: July 2024

The growing utilization of second homes has led to extended heating periods and, to some extent, renovations to enhance their standards, resulting in increased energy and resource consumption. This study, conducted in Sweden, investigates user patterns across various seasons, heating systems, and implemented energy renovation measures. Findings reveal that 40% of second homes in winter sport areas are inhabited prolonged periods during the winter, and more than half are used for shorter durations throughout all seasons, surpassing the usage frequency of second homes in general. Additionally, more than half of these second homes are heated to temperatures exceeding 16°C even when unoccupied. The predominant heating method is direct electricity (48%), followed by heat pumps (32%). Renovation activities primarily focus on interior surfaces, kitchens, and bathrooms to elevate standards, with less than 15% implemented energy-efficient measures like heat pump installation, added insulation, new lighting, or control systems. Considering reported user and heating patterns, along with energy renovations undertaken, the study estimates the energy-saving potential associated with various energy renovation strategies. By installing heat pump the energy consumption can be reduced by more than 50% and by lowering the temperature when the house is unoccupied the energy consumption may be reduced by almost 50%.
Data Quality Assessment for Building Performance Analysis with Pilot Case Study
Authors: Leung J , Chiu D , Poon E , Chan F
Published: July 2024

In the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the utilization of IoT technologies has greatly simplified the process of acquiring building performance data. However, when it comes to analyzing building performance, especially in Energy Audits and Retro-commissioning (RCx), the issue of poor data quality persists. This poor data quality can result in misinterpretation of the situation, thus impeding the identification of decarbonization opportunities and potentially causing an increase in operating costs. This paper will delve into a comprehensive framework for assessing data quality.
Combining parametric life cycle assessment (LCA) and multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) for developing sustainable residential neighborhoods
Authors: Vollmer M , Theilig K , Hope G , Akca N , Lang W , Albus J
Published: July 2024

Purpose: In addressing global challenges like climate change, resource depletion, and biodiversity loss, planners encounter heightened complexity, necessitating environmentally-conscious architectural design. Adopting a proactive stance toward positive impacts rather than mere harm reduction expands the scope of possibilities. Embracing the principles of Positive Buildings and Regenerative Design across six dimensions – Society, Energy, Material, Green, Water, and Mobility – facilitates a holistic approach. Methods: Employing the “Research by Design” methodology, this study develops architectural designs for a German residential project. Assessment involves life cycle analysis and building performance simulations utilizing Rhino Grasshopper with Dragonfly and Colibri plugins. Employing multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM), the utility analysis method concurrently considers eleven criteria to select the optimal design alternative in terms of Energy and Material. Results: The outcomes highlight the effectiveness of utility analysis in supporting MCDM for architectural decision-making, revealing that wood-light structures outperform mineral ones in ecological performance. Furthermore, parametric optimization identifies key parameters influencing energy demand, including energy system, electricity mix, credit from photovoltaic systems, and construction type. Conclusions: Overall, the synergy of “Research by Design” and MCDM enhances the planning process for architecturally sustainable projects, emphasizing the need for continued consideration and integration of additional aspects in the decision-making process for truly holistic outcomes.
System Dynamics Modeling of Life Cycle Carbon Footprints for Building Wall Insulation Materials
Authors: Zong Chujun , Sun Yilun , Lang Werner
Published: July 2024

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a tool to assess environmental impacts of a product. However, the reliability of LCA should be improved, since the current static methodology does not take temporal variations into account. Accordingly, the dynamic LCA (DLCA) approach is gaining increasing attention. Despite the rapid development of DLCA in the building engineering, investigation on reliable dynamic modeling methods considering the circularity of building materials is still missing. To cope with this problem, we propose a framework of system dynamic modeling of building materials’ global warming potential (GWP) over the complete life cycle of a building. The framework is then applied in the case study of simulating the GWP of eight common building wall insulation materials with two improvement strategies considering a circular material flow. As a result, the established framework is proved feasible and can be implemented in future DLCA modeling. Results also show that considering recycling potential in a circular system results in a reduction of life cycle carbon foot print. Accordingly, the importance of circularity is highlighted.
Navigating the Global Landscape of Embodied Carbon: Challenges, Opportunities, and Best Practices
Authors: Wong Y T
Published: July 2024

As the trend towards decarbonization accelerates and Whole Lifecycle Carbon (WLC) assessment evolves, different benchmarks have been established across the world. While most methodologies adhere to EN 15978, various regional scopes have been defined. In this paper, it summarized the global landscape related to WLC assessment, including guidelines and policies. And it collects various multinational assets companies’ Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) or sustainability reports to examine how they declare their carbon targets and what their approaches are on WLC calculation. The study revealed that most companies did not clearly mention what life cycle stages are included in WLC assessment. Even some companies conducted quite multiple WLC calculations, inconsistencies were found in the reports, for example – variation in life cycle stages, service life, concerned building materials etc. As a result, it is difficult for a company to compare the performance from one asset to another, let alone from outsiders to compare the performance of one company to another. Hence, this paper has developed a systematic approach to illustrate how multinational assets companies could develop a standardizable benchmark based on a variety of WLC landscape across the globe and would like to suggest a common methodology for evaluating their development’s WLC carbon emissions. And it is also noteworthy for investors and practitioners to adopt the same approach to evaluate the companies’ performance on WLC for fair comparisons.
Embodied Carbon Impacts of Building Envelope Systems
Authors: Udisi B , Osman F , Gorgolewski M , Saunders K , Devraj-Kizuk R , Kemp S
Published: July 2024

As buildings become more energy efficient due to stringent building codes, the emphasis on reducing the embodied carbon (EC) in the built environment has become significant. Studies predict that between 2020 and 2050, new buildings will surpass operational emissions with higher embodied emissions in their initial decade and throughout their life cycle. To meet decarbonization targets, reducing EC through low-carbon, high-performance building designs and grid decarbonization is crucial. This research analyzes the embodied carbon intensity of 26 commonly used envelope systems of large buildings in Ontario’s Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) using the attributional life cycle assessment (ALCA) methodology. Results highlight the impact of cladding materials, insulation layers, and backup structures on EC. The study ranks envelope assemblies based on their EC intensity (ECI), providing insights for designers to balance operational and embodied emissions. Noteworthy findings include the relatively high ECI of floor systems compared to exterior wall and roof systems. It also emphasized the challenges in assessing the environmental impacts of wood-based products and the need for uncertainty analysis and transparent reporting. The study contributes to understanding EC in building envelopes, guiding design teams toward low-carbon structures and more informed decision-making. As research progresses, recommendations include consequential analysis, assessing biogenic carbon impacts, and material durability studies for a deeper insight on the environmental impacts of building envelope materials.
Ecohydrological Nature based-Solutions for Sustainable Cities: A Case Study based on Water Security and Modeling
Authors: Gaona Currea J A , Larrinaga López J , León Sarmiento J , Ortega Minakata A T , Gorrotxategi Carbajo J , Soto Trujillo C , Camacho Otero J , Ortiz de Urbina I
Published: July 2024

Increasing population and urban sprawl are impacting water resources. This is especially true in big urban areas given their growing water demand. As such, these areas obtain drinking water from rural areas through dams and aqueducts, which decreases sediment retention capacity and results in low water quality. To solve this issue grey infrastructure is insufficient due to its lack of integration with ecosystems and long development times. Ecohydrological Nature-based Solutions (EH-NbS), a multifunctional type of green infrastructure, could increase the ability to regulate the ecological water cycle while providing a background for urban resiliency and sustainability. However, EH-NbS are still hindered by the lack of a robust methodology for site selection and uncertain cost-effectiveness. Therefore, this paper assessed EH-NbS cost-effectiveness through a case study, considering benefits from the reduction of suspended sediments. An innovative methodology based on RIOS and InVEST software was utilized. The results for the baseline scenario confirmed that sediment retention capacity could decrease, and water treatment costs could increase. The alternative including EH-NbS showed an increase in sediment retention capacity, and savings of 0.014% in some maintenance costs. Therefore, EH-NbS could provide sustainable and cost-effective water supply that could boost an urban model transition.
Urban resilience at multi levels: reciprocally from the local level to the sky
Authors: Jonas A , Mueller A
Published: July 2024

Climate change, growing social inequalities as well as hazards of ecological and economic origin will dominate the life of all of us – wherever we live. The global community demands in this context that ‘no one shall be left behind’. The factors of influence mentioned do not stop at administrative borders though. They interact with all levels of governance and are, in fact, relevant not only for cities and communities but also for regions, nations and supranations. Taking this relation as given would mean pursuing a multi-level approach towards urban resilience (and sustainability). The paper discusses a respective approach, which some countries have chosen in cooperation with their cities and communities to better understand the requirements for a resilient urban future and thus develop and implement adequate tools as well as coordinate and continuously enhance respective processes. Tools in that respect would refer to legislation and funding programmes in the same way as processes could address the notion of cooperation and coproduction. Urban pilot projects, like the ones on post-COVID-19-Pandemic conditions, might serve as reference points for addressing multi-level actions in practice by both, a national and a local level, and thus supporting cities and communities in strengthening their resilience against multiple crises.
A conceptual framework for understanding community resilience to flooding
Authors: Nsobya C , Moncaster A , Potter K , Mabon L , Ramsay J
Published: July 2024

Flooding, an already prevalent global hazard, is predicted to worsen in frequency and intensity. Flood Risk Governance has evolved from exclusively combating flooding to now also coexisting with it, aiming to enhance resilience comprehensively and over the long term. A narrative literature review presents diverse conceptualisations of resilience to flooding, highlighting ongoing debates about whether resilience is an outcome or process. This paper contends that resilience can and should encompass both the process and outcome-based components. Critically reviewing existing conceptualisations, this paper proposes a holistic framework for understanding community resilience. The framework comprises three components: the capacity to resist, the capacity to respond and recover, and the capacity to adapt. Six specific and potentially overlapping, capacities are identified as Social, Physical, Human, Economic, Institutional, and Natural. The paper also discusses the importance of qualitative research in providing more nuance when assessing resilience. The paper clarifies the complexity of resilience in the face of evolving flood risks, proposing an integrated framework that spans capacities, ongoing processes, and ultimate outcomes. This framework will provide the foundation for understanding and analysing community resilience to groundwater flooding in Buckinghamshire, UK.
Food systems and community resilience: a case study of food deserts and centrality of Petrópolis (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
Authors: Alves da Rocha Emanuela , Luís Paiva André , Drach Patricia
Published: July 2024

Urban and territorial planning play a crucial role in the performance and sustainability of agri-food systems, emphasizing local food production and consumption. This article, based on previous studies of Petrópolis, aims to reevaluate its urban centers, focusing on food and landscape aspects. Through a review of literature on healthy urbanism and agri-food systems, the study incorporates urban cartography developed in Quantum-GIS software, integrating Petrópolis’ territorial and landscape features with comfortable walking and cycling distance. The rural-to-urban transect analysis reveals that rural spaces could be termed as the “periphery of the periphery.” To address decentralization and reduce segregation, comfortable walking and cycling radii—0.75 km in 15 minutes and 3.75 km in 15 minutes, respectively—suggest potential centralities. Implementing measures like expanding street markets and establishing individual points for local farmers to supply natural food can further support decentralization, benefiting public health and food security in vulnerable areas. This approach acknowledges the interdependence between urban and rural areas.
Role of Urban Metabolism Assessments in Addressing Food Security through Urban Agriculture in Informal Settlements: A Critical Review
Authors: Acevedo-De-los-Ríos A , Perrotti D
Published: July 2024

This literature review explores the role of urban metabolism (UM) assessments in addressing food security through urban agriculture in informal settlements, particularly in lower-income countries. It addresses the challenges of food security in urban areas and aims to unravel existing urban dynamics and networks to generate agro-food resources in these settings. The review included a comprehensive search using the Scopus and Web of Science (WOS) databases to identify relevant studies. A total of 381 articles published between 2000 and 2023 were retrieved. Additionally, a systematic review of grey literature was performed using Google Scholar, focusing on publications in the Spanish language from the years 2000 to 2023 to address food security dynamics in Latin America as a key case study area. After screening titles, keywords, and abstracts, 127 journal articles from the Scopus and WOS databases and 51 results from the grey literature were considered for further analysis. Bibliometric coupling techniques, including co-citation analysis, co-occurrence analysis, and keyword analysis, were employed using VOSviewer software to visualize the scholarly landscape and identify major themes. The analysis of white literature facilitated the identification of six major themes: (1) UM and Sustainability; (2) Phosphorus Management and Recycling; (3) Food Security and Waste Management; (4) Material Flow Analysis and Environmental Impact; (5) Human Impacts on the Environment; and (6) Food Systems and Sustainability. The main findings pointed to the environmental and social sustainability impacts of food flows in UM studies, emphasizing the pertinence of UM as a conceptual framework to address urban sustainability and justice challenges, particularly in informal settlements. Additionally, the grey literature provided insights into community strategies, urban resilience, and social inequality, enriching the understanding of local realities and socio-economic dimensions related to UM and food security in informal settlements. The review showed that by incorporating UM approaches and circular economy strategies, it is possible to optimize flows and stocks within the agro-food systems, leading to improved food security, sustainable development, and enhanced resilience in urban environments.
Towards Positive Energy Districts: Multi-criteria framework and Quality Assurance
Authors: Malakhatka E , Wästberg D , Wallbaum H , Pooyanfar P , Dursun İ , Hofer G , Thuvander L
Published: July 2024

This research develops a multi-criteria framework and Quality Assurance checklist (QA) for Positive-Energy-Districts (PEDs). PEDs have a large potential to contribute to reach urban climate goals but require also changes of planning, development, and transformation processes of neighborhoods. Our understanding of PEDs has been broadened to include aspects of circularity and economic viability, ensuring that PED concepts not only contribute to environmental sustainability but are also economically feasible. In this enhanced perspective, Digital Twins serving as essential carriers of information and facilitators of communication, effectively bridging the gap between different dimensions of sustainable development and practical implementation and monitoring. This study is part of an ongoing European project, Digital Twin for PEDs (DT4PEDs), with Living Labs in three countries: Austria, Sweden, and Turkey. The presented study addresses the central research question, “In what phases can specific requirements be linked to the process to ensure PED development throughout the entire process using a Digital Twin?” within the context of the DT4PEDs project. Based on a participatory workshop with stakeholders from partner countries and a parallel literature review, the study encompasses three key areas. First, it seeks to consolidate property development practices across Austria, Sweden, and Turkey, including both new construction and retrofitting, into a unified framework. Second, it formulates a PED multi-criteria framework, complemented by a Quality Assurance (QA) checklist. Finally, the recommendations for digital twin are proposed to support energy related information flows and stakeholder dialogue.
Business case for treating a city as a dissipative structure, with the flow of citizen value supported by remote sensing of the urban environment
Authors: Ferguson MM
Published: July 2024

This study explores the perspective of viewing a city as a dissipative structure using the case of Cape Town and the challenges it faces with unregulated development. It suggests a concept of Lean citizen flow loops to respond to the dynamic economic demands of society. These loops are triggered by remotely sensed changes in property development, facilitated by the integration of high-frequency satellite data and deep learning techniques for near real-time detection of changes in the built environment. The methods employed include: Lean flow concepts and Heijunka for conflict resolution and Automated property change detection using deep learning from low-cost high-frequency satellite data. The study found that, by considering a city as a dissipative structure, which is a dynamic system that balances chaos and order, a city can create an environment conducive to innovation, self-organisation, adaptability, and resilience. The integration of high-frequency satellite data and deep learning techniques enables the timely detection of changes in property development patterns, empowering a city to respond promptly and efficiently. The use of Lean citizen response process loops enhances a city’s ability to engage with stakeholders and incorporate their feedback in decision-making processes. Through active dialogue with citizens, a city can foster a more inclusive and participatory approach to urban development. This approach not only addresses the challenge of unregulated development but also promotes innovation by encouraging collaboration, creativity, and the generation of novel ideas. The use of deep learning for property change detection has achieved an accuracy of 95% in identifying true positives. The results of this paper present a case for transforming Cape Town into an innovative city that effectively manages development, ensures regulatory compliance, and fosters a thriving urban environment, by leveraging the principles of dissipative structures, along with advanced technology and citizen responsiveness. This study highlights the potential of adopting a holistic and dynamic approach to urban governance, where innovation becomes a key driver of sustainable and inclusive growth.
Multi-Attribute Analysis for Sustainable Reclamation of Urban Industrial Sites: Case from Damascus Post-Conflict
Authors: Khaddour L A , Osunsanmi T , Olawumi T O , Bradly L
Published: July 2024

The reclamation of urban industrial zones presents intricate challenges within urban planning, notably in post-disaster scenarios aimed at revitalizing urban landscapes. This study delves into the complexities and decision-making intricacies involved in reinvigorating the Al-Qaboun industrial area in Damascus following the conflict. It undertakes an assessment of optimal industrial zone placements by meticulously evaluating economic, social, land use, and environmental criteria via a robust combination of case study methodology and reconnaissance survey. The outcomes reveal participants’ prioritization of economic criteria, followed closely by equally significant social and land use considerations, while the environmental criteria ranked comparatively lower in importance. Employing multi-attribute analysis, three reclamation alternatives for Al-Qaboun are examined: refurbishment within the same area (A1), relocation of heavy industries only to Adra industrial city (A2), and complete relocation to Adra industrial city (A3). Participant ratings favor A3 (0.386) followed by A1 (0.319) and A2 (0.294), highlighting the initial planning phase’s reliance on streamlined methodologies yet emphasizing the necessity for an in-depth exploration of stakeholder influences on sustainable reclamation endeavors. This research underscores the pivotal role of meticulous decision-making in post-disaster urban planning and advocates for a nuanced understanding of stakeholder dynamics in ensuring the sustainability of reclamation initiatives.
Housing hierarchy of needs that contribute to the well-being of residents
Authors: Kamata Tomomitsu , Kawakubo Shun
Published: July 2024

This study aimed to identify a housing hierarchy of needs for realizing residents’ well-being. To this end, housing elements were grouped into five categories—safety, health, convenience, comfort, and sustainability—with reference to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs framework. To validate the accuracy of this hierarchy, a nationwide online questionnaire survey was conducted with 1,001 Japanese adults. The questionnaire covered resident and housing attributes, including the five categories of housing needs, with respondents using a Cantril ladder to rate their current well-being on a scale of 0-10. The results showed that the higher up the housing hierarchy of needs, the closer residents were to achieving well-being. The mean Cantril ladder score was higher when housing needs were satisfied in the order of safety, health, comfort, convenience, and sustainability. The mean score of residents who had all five needs satisfied was 0.9 points higher compared with those who had all needs satisfied except for sustainability. Dissemination of this housing hierarchy of needs could contribute to achieving many Sustainable Development Goals, especially Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).