bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk Assessments of Trees and Urban Spaces under Attacks of Typhoons: A Survey and Statistical Study in Guangzhou, China
Authors: Lin Hankun , Huang Songyi , Gu Yaning , Chen Zheng , Lu Yao , Yin Shi , Jin Haixiang , Wu Wentong , Xiao Yiqiang
Published: November 2020

Typhoon, as one of the extreme climatic disasters, attacks the southeast coastal cities in China every year. To countermeasure the risk of a typhoon on urban tree safety, we established a cooperation research team including professions on urban design and city planning, wind engineering, and tree health assessment and management. This paper presents some statistical studies on the data of the damaged urban trees causing by the typhoons in Guangzhou and some other cities in Pearl River Delta (PRD), China in 2016 - 2018. The data of the damaged trees is imported in a geographic information system (GIS) database and a local climate zone (LCZ) map to analyze the distribution of damaged trees in different urban morphologies and underlying surface patterns. Results show a series of high-risk tree species such as Ficus microcarpa, Ficus virens var.sublanceolata, and Bauhinia variegate in typhoons. Then, six LCZ typologies and four main typologies of urban space are figured out basing on the statistical analysis of the damaged trees. Preliminary results reveal that some kinds of tree species and urban space are at a higher risk level during the typhoons. Current works will support the research on urban tree management, risk management and forecasting, urban planning, and landscape design.
Socio-Ecological Visual Analytics Environment “SEVA”: A novel visual analytics environment for interdisciplinary decision-making linking human biometrics and environmental data
Authors: Etman M Aly , Keena N , Dyson A
Published: November 2020

Current architectural design practice is limited in its consideration and understanding of life-cycle energy flows which comprise multiple phases, from material resource extraction, construction, building occupation within the built environment, and after demolition. Furthermore, bioclimatic environmental flows interact with the buildings, particularly at the building envelope, making it a rich interface for shaping energy flows towards buildings that are energy self-sufficient with clean on-site energy resources. The buildings we inhabit directly affect the greater built environment which is an inherent part local ecosystems that compose part of larger ecologies at global scales, ultimately affecting the overall biosphere. As a result, the buildings we construct, directly and indirectly, affect our economies, the health, and well-being of our societies and our natural environments. This paper explores the development of a computational framework that allows designers to visualize, understand and evaluate their design choices in terms of their environmental implications and ecological efficacy. The framework for design analysis offers a more comprehensive ecological analysis than existing sustainability assessment tools by collecting live environmental and human biometrics towards considering the entire comfort cycle. Working with SEVA, Socio-Ecological Visual Analytics, platform a web tool designed to allow for interactive feedback in real-time. This research is proposing to investigate the visualization of human data as a metric to analyze the well-being of the environment, which is an inversion of received perspectives. This paper will use a case study, assessing a built environment unit tracking the environmental conditions, building systems performance and the user human biometrics, demonstrating the qualitative and quantitative environmental impacts of the building design on the users.
A new methodology to evaluate housing comfort: defining a differential diagnosis matrix
Authors: Varandas C , Rosado S , Ribeiro J Tavares
Published: November 2020

This paper focuses on comfort optimization methods in contemporary housing in Lisbon, Portugal. Faced with the notorious lack of comfort in buildings from different construction periods, rehabilitation appears as an opportunity to change this reality, by improving the residents’ quality of life, allowing users to control their own variables. In present times, the technological developments have simplified the diffusion of information, allowing each person to easily comprehend more complex technical contents and increasing awareness for more effective and conscious interventions. The design of a differential diagnosis matrix aims to identify and categorize problems associated with the lack of housing comfort, by relating specific constraints through rules of correspondence and by establishing a logical relationship of flow charts of interdependent and specific variables for each case. A more effective and simplified method is proposed, that will work as a tool to make the process of improving the comfort in the houses more accessible, even for the non-specialist user. Through the increase of adequate and conscious micro interventions, it is possible to create sustainable and better practices in this sector.
Business model innovation for smart, healthy buildings
Authors: Hale L A
Published: November 2020

This paper looks at how the building industry can use the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG3) - to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. The research investigates SDG3-driven business model innovation for healthy buildings and the role of smart technology innovation in realizing the goal’s implementation. It is based on an organizational ethnography of the VELUX Group and interviews from four business model innovation cases to illustrate how the industry can use SDG3 to create more sustainable and healthy buildings. The research finds that whereas SDG3 highlights the significance of human factors in the building industry, smart technologies support value creation based on formerly unmeasurable qualitative aspects like indoor health. Further, challenges to SDG3-based business model innovation underscore the need for expanded cross-sector collaboration in order to establish markets for the resultant smart, healthy building solutions. Public-private partnership for the smart and healthy renovation of public schools is identified as a promising way to stimulate wider market adoption.
The potential of the adaptive thermal comfort concept in long-term actively conditioned buildings for improved energy performance and user wellbeing
Authors: Hellwig Runa T. , Teli Despoina , Boerstra Atze
Published: November 2020

Technological progress in conditioning practice combined with prevailing thermal comfort criteria, created stable, tightly controlled indoor temperature bands. Research shows indoor temperatures to be increasing in the heating period, leading to higher building energy use than planned. Field studies provide proof that occupants not in control of their indoor climate are more dissatisfied and report problems in wellbeing. Widening temperature bands could be an effective measure leading to energy conservation, increasing satisfaction and, as shown recently, helping to mitigate health problems related to our way of life. The adaptive approach to thermal comfort postulates that people’s thermal comfort perception adapts to the indoor and outdoor climatic conditions they normally experience. However, according to standards, the adaptive model is applicable only to passively conditioned (free-running) buildings, even though the adaptive principles may well apply also to actively conditioned buildings. Our review found studies demonstrating positive health effects and energy conservation potential in permanently or seasonally conditioned buildings. On this basis, the potential of the adaptive approach and translations into concrete design or operation solutions for actively conditioned buildings are discussed in this paper. We conclude that the adaptive concept offers a potential for indoor climate control in actively conditioned buildings in the temperate and cold climates.
Improving indoor environmental quality (IEQ) for occupant health and well-being: A case study of Swedish office building
Authors: Jin Quan , Wallbaum Holger
Published: November 2020

Indoor environmental quality (IEQ) is a major domain of building conditions relating to occupant comfort, health and well-being. Especially in the office environment, IEQ can influence work productivity positively. Within the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), goal 3 good health and well-being, and goal 8 decent work and economic growth are the two areas where IEQ can significantly contribute. To better design sustainable office buildings in line with the agenda 2030, the study aims to examine occupant satisfaction, health and work in a newly renovated office building which is labelled by the BREEAM certification scheme Silver. Occupant preferences of IEQ comparing to the current conditions were also explored to provide advice for future design. The results show that occupant satisfaction with IEQ has not well achieved and in the office environment occupants prefer warmer temperature, more fresh air, less noise, and more daylight. We also find that perceived IEQ is extensively related to occupant health and work productivity. It concludes that in such a newly renovated office building as a high-performance building, there are still many problems from the indoor environments. Therefore, improvements are needed to gain occupant satisfaction and positively influence occupant health, well-being and work productivity.
Single-Stage Air Filtration of Particles and Gaseous Contaminants in Buildings: A Literature Study
Authors: Orlando Roberta , Fojan Peter , Mo Jinhan , Bergsøe Niels C. , Afshari Alireza
Published: November 2020

A variety of air filtration technologies are commercially available for reducing particles and gaseous contaminants that may enter buildings from outside. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is an increasing range of adverse health effects linked to air pollution, at even-lower concentration of pollutants. This article presents a short literature overview of air filtration technologies, which focus on assessing their ability in removing both particles and gaseous compounds. The aim is to provide information about current research development of air filtration technologies as well as their advantages, limitations and performance in terms of removal efficiency, pressure drop and formation of by-products. Mechanical filters and electrostatic filters are efficiently used for the removal of particles. Photocatalytic oxidant and adsorbent air filters are commonly used for gas removal. These last two types of filters are not feasible for particles removal. Air filtration using electrospun nanofiber filters have been studied, however, the performance of such filters for the removal of particles and gaseous contaminants at the same time has to be further investigated.
Numerical simulation and site measurements of ventilation efficiency for different types of air-conditioned rooms through window-opening natural ventilation
Authors: Liu Xinyu , Wang Hanqing , Xie Dong , Zhao Jinping , Sang Lixin , Wu Xiao , Xia Yuting , He Zongwu
Published: November 2020

To study the air exchange efficiency of rooms while air conditioning equipment are running and window is open, this paper used the experiments of tracer gas CO2 to measure its concentration variations indoor after opening window. At the same time, the corresponding cases were simulated numerically with computational fluid dynamic (CFD). The experimental results showed that after opening window, the combined action of wind pressure and pressure due to the differences of the air density can cause obvious air exchange between the indoor and the outdoor. Indoor CO2 concentration was continuously reduced as proceeding of the air infiltration and there is an optimized width of window opening which resulted in a fastest decay rate of CO2 concentration. Furthermore, results of simulation and experiment indicated that larger temperature difference between the indoor and outdoor lead to faster indoor CO2 exhausted rates. Air exchange rate of air-conditioned rooms is affected by the types, opening degrees and the relative locations of the window as well. Natural ventilation by reasonable window opening can enhance the air quality if the outside air is not polluted. It should be noticed that optimized width and relative location of the window opening exist if economy is to be considered.
Active Care - Building Design for Habilitation Centers
Authors: Dumitrache O , Miedema E , Dobre C C
Published: November 2020

This paper explores the building design of a Habilitation Center that promotes healthy lifestyles of people with diverse abilities. Habilitation care moves the focus of healthcare from a disease curing approach to lifelong health development. Studies show that the design of healthcare buildings can contribute to improving care and by extension, it is expected that building design can contribute to improving habilitation care. However, in practice, there is limited experience in designing habilitation facilities, particularly concerning emerging healthcare approaches such as health promotion. This paper describes the outcomes of a master thesis that was part of a pre-study for a habilitation center that focused on design strategies and solutions that stimulate physical activity for diverse users. The main research question was : In what way can building design promote active behavior for all types of building users? The study adopted a research by design approach focused on (1) understanding user needs, (2) developing design strategies, and (3) proposing a design solution. The results list several design strategies for habilitation buildings and propose how these can be implemented. These guidelines include strategies for physical movement such as indoor and outdoor exercise areas, climbing walls and access to nature. These results may support the development of the new habilitation center, while also introducing theoretical ideas and design guidelines regarding active design. The study can be used to inspire and discuss the design and development of habilitation centers specifically, and more generally healthcare buildings that adopt new care approaches such as health promotion.
Daylight and energy as active drivers in the design process of a new school in Enköping, Sweden
Authors: Shalaby M , Baker N , Dubois M C
Published: November 2020

With the introduction of new demands targeting net-zero energy and net zero-carbon buildings and neighbourhoods on a national level in Sweden and internationally, balancing the requirements of daylight and energy is becoming more important in the design process. In order to succeed, an effective strategy needs to be defined for utilising the right digital tools and metrics for the two factors at different times in the process, and in an integrated way. This paper presents the workflow used whilst developing the concept for a new school in Enköping, Sweden (59.633°N, 17.086°E). The analyses performed during the design process included vertical sky component, daylight factor and early-stage energy calculations. Implementing photovoltaic (PV) cells and energy-efficient lighting design were also included as part of a strategy for reducing primary energy consumption. It was found that daylight and energy can be effectively balanced if an integrated strategy is followed during early stages of the design process. National regulations can also be met, and the time required for running simulations can be reduced by a factor of three by having an effective process.
Explaining Sustainable Architecture
Authors: Donovan E
Published: November 2020

Often, we are faced with comments, such as sustainable architecture cannot be defined, we do not know what it means, or it means everything and nothing. However, what are the implications for the architectural profession if we are not able to articulate what it is, we do. The consequences of our professional lexicon go beyond being a matter of academic interest. Precise terminology in practice, especially in the early design stages and briefing process is critical, as decisions taken rely on all actors to ‘speak the same language.’ This paper presents the outcome of one of a series of studies which were developed to explore this topic. This extensive literature (content) analysis, gathers information on what sustainable architecture means and how it impacts both discourse and practice. In much of the literature examined, there is a tendency within the introduction for authors to define sustainable architecture, acknowledge that it cannot be defined, or articulate that there is not one agreed-upon definition. There is an apparent dichotomy of definitions, understandings, terminology, and language which, are all valid. This is evident through the distinct transition in terminology; development of meanings; as well as the establishment that there are multiple understandings which are person-specific. This dichotomy has potential value in that it maintains the broadness, which allows for innovative thinking and diverse responses while also acknowledging various individuals and ways of practising sustainable architecture. Therefore, this paper aims to explore the challenges concerning the lexicon of sustainable architecture; how it is defined in literature and research; as well as how that may impact the profession in the context of the current climate emergency.
New SDG refined human habitat reduces impacts, mitigates risk and inspires hope in a compact permanent infrastructure and farm system
Authors: Gene Zellmer L.
Published: November 2020

Introduction: One best HOPE for humanity meeting SDG targets is to give building site owners MORE OPTIONS. Today’s cities typically TRAP URBAN DWELLERS in the local housing type with NO ENTREPRENEURIAL OPPORTUNITY! This paper proposes a NEW CITY INFRASTRUCTURE with neighborhood modules of completely flexible, large two-story totally private development sites suitable for any typical urban business or 1 to 4 homes. Entrepreneurial urban dwellers may pursue any enterprise, an amazing new economic resource for individuals and cities. These vacant building sites will be built in a permanent (1000+year) multi-story infrastructure. Flexibility of space and utility raceways allow continual updating for continually changing objectives and new technology to meet SDG’s. Locals complete their city and transit link. It will function as a permanent, autonomous, Self-sustaining, compact, efficient, adaptable dwelling and farming system. Methods: Designing, building, market testing and worldwide research over 40 years proved the need for this proposal. Inspiration: Ancient stone structures occupied for hundreds of years. Flexibility and privacy make a permanent infrastructure practical. “Continual-use” reduces future housing costs 70%. This infrastructure stimulates remarkable new ownership and financial arrangements for all income levels. Results: Long term success of SDG targets ultimately depends on individuals. Options give hope and more control over their property and future. Flexibility encourages incentives to improve and increase ownership equity. This design’s hillside village qualities of dwellings overlooking daily life on their neighborhood plaza will generate common bonds overlapping many generations. Total privacy, flexibility, backyard gardens and incentives encourage entrepreneurs, combining talents, sweat equity, Self-employment, pride and hope! Conclusion: In some locations the need is already desperate. The only logical conclusion: Immediately build, test and refine this proposal. Many modules together become a city, living areas above floods, capable of reducing CO2 and totally eliminating fire or climate risk. Implementing this new urban flexibility will revolutionize future human habitats and the life of every person. Test it, discover new SDG guidelines.
No or low emissions from construction logistics – Just a dream or future reality?
Authors: Venås Christoffer , Flyen Cecilie , Fufa Selamawit Mamo , Janné Mats , Fredriksson Anna , Brusselaers Nicolas , Mommens Koen , Macharis Cathy
Published: November 2020

Introduction: Construction sites are among the major sources of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in the construction industry. Large quantities of construction materials and other resources need to be transported to, within, and from construction sites. Implementation of different construction logistics solutions can reduce the impact from construction. The objectives of this article are to map the status and present the current practice of construction logistics in Norway, and to discuss how different no or low emission construction logistics solutions can be promoted. Methods: Methods applied are a literature review including findings from the recent development of emission free construction sites and qualitative case study with interviews carried out in Norway. Results: Findings indicate that lack of regulations, specific requirements and awareness, and use of traditional methods to avoid risks are some of the challenges for minimizing impact from construction logistics. However, opportunities are also present; mainly driven by political ambitions, improved environmental requirements in public procurement tenders and market demands and ambitions for reductions in emissions and costs. Preliminary results from interviews in Norway support these findings. Conclusions: The study show that the goal of achieving no or low emission from construction site is possible through setting ambitious requirements, good planning and a close and open collaboration between involved stakeholders. Grant support: This work is part of the Joint Programming Initative (JPI) Urban Europe project “Minimizing impact of construction material flows in cities: Innovative Co-Creation”, supported by the national research councils of the participating countries (Sweden, Norway, Austria, Belgium).
Combining LCA and LCC in the early-design stage: a preliminary study for residential buildings technologies
Authors: Dejaco M C , Mazzucchelli E S , Pittau F , Boninu L , Röck M , Moretti N , Passer A
Published: November 2020

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Costing (LCC) procedures are usually employed during the different building design phases. The first one is mainly related to the environment protection, while the second to the costs control and optimization. This paper aims to define a procedure to “translate” LCA results into an economic evaluation, typical of LCC. The goal is to support the decision-making process in the early-design phase for providing design guidance and monitoring, effectively and timely. This approach can lead to a comparison and choice among different structural technological solutions by focusing both on environmental impacts and on economic costs. LCA and LCC analyses have been carried out evaluating some construction solutions for residential buildings, considering the economic consequence of environmental impact (monetization of carbon emission). This article presents two methods: the first suggests a quantification from an economic point of view the carbon emission during the life cycle of building components through a “carbon tax”; the second one evaluates the “eco-cost” as a Virtual Pollution Prevention Cost (VPPC). Finally, the two methods were applied and compared on a case study, in order to define the possible outcomes on the building construction sector and on public policies.
Integrative decision-making strategy for fluvial neighborhoods in transition
Authors: Formery S , Laprise M , Rey E
Published: November 2020

The changing relationships between cities and their waters over the centuries lead today – after a clear sidelining of rivers in the city – to question their potential for building new interactions. Current densification objectives of the existing built fabric resonating with the protection measures against floods bring out a broad field of exploration regarding the evolution of the urban riverbanks. Within this context, the research presented here focuses on the Rhône, an emblematic territory of the regeneration of urban riverbanks. Besides the technical means of risk management in flood-prone areas, landscape, urban, and architectural issues question the project approach to adopt for the development of new fluvial neighborhoods. Furthermore, many challenges raise for the management and steering of these sites in transition. Their regeneration in sustainable fluvial neighborhoods being closely linked with the accentuation of their characteristics, the ambition of the ongoing research consists in developing an integrative decision-making strategy specific to the issues related to the transformation of the urban sites along the Rhône. In that order, three steps are applied: 1. a prospective phase on four representative study areas, 2. the development of specific city-river balance components, and 3. the experimentation of an unprecedented multi-criteria comparative evaluation approach. These tools are not only strongly interconnected but are also parts of the integrative decision-making strategy, which is the main expected output of the research.
Mainstreaming Sustainable Housing for All
Authors: Huovila P , Iyer-Raniga U
Published: November 2020

The One Planet SBC Programme aims at sharing good policies, tools and technologies to support mainstreaming sustainable buildings and construction practices especially in emerging economies. This paper describes first the approach of the SBC Programme supporting the international frameworks. Then, SBC Trust Fund projects are presented followed by priority working themes for 2020-2022. The tools developed in the SBC programme to help improving sustainability of affordable housing are introduced more in detail. Finally, mainstreaming of sustainability in housing is discussed showcasing also other tools emphasizing emerging markets.
PM2.5 reduction performance of LEED certified buildings in Thailand
Authors: Yimprayoon C
Published: November 2020

Recently, Thailand has faced more severe PM2.5 problem in winter season due to crop burnings and traffic problems. Nine buildings in Bangkok were examined in order to determine their performances in preventing PM2.5 into their indoor environment. Five buildings are LEED certified buildings and some of these buildings are equipped with higher performance level of air filters. Realtime handheld indoor air meters were used to collect levels of indoor PM2.5 inside the buildings compared to the outside condition. It has been found that LEED certified buildings with high performance filter (MERV13) performed better in preventing PM2.5 comparing to other buildings. However, some non-LEED certified buildings also performed good probably because of inadequate ventilation. High traffic on the ground floors also introduce higher PM2.5 level into the buildings’ common areas.
Study on sustainable rental housing with sublease partnership utilizing existing owner-occupied vacant houses
Authors: Watanabe S , Sumikura H , Nagano M
Published: November 2020

Despite the increase in vacant houses in Japan, existing owner-occupied vacant houses are not sufficiently converted into rental housing due to homeowners’ anxieties in legal and economic matters. In this study, we explore cases of the housing projects introducing sublease partnerships of owner-occupied houses; the projects by the municipality as a PPP collaboration and the projects introducing a lump-sum payment of a rent as a purely private business. These projects are found to have succeeded in dispersing among parties the costs and the risks a homeowner would take by achieving the three conditions; (1) A deal including renovation work, (2) Fixed-term lease contract and (3) More credible contracting party. The sublease partnership has the potential to convert owner-occupied houses into rental housing. However, some challenges which limit the sustainability of the partnership are pointed out.
Housing acquisition and community participation by migrants in depopulated areas of Japan: A case study in Osaki Kamijima Town, Hiroshima
Authors: Sumikura H , Hyodo S , Ishigaki A
Published: November 2020

In Japan, the number of migrants from urban to depopulated rural areas is increasing. The migrants’ participation in the local community encourages them to settle down and promotes revitalizing the area and utilizing vacant houses. This study aims to clarify housing acquisitions by the migrants to the depopulated area and the interaction with the locals after migration in Osaki-Kamijima town located in the Seto Inland Sea. Based on data gathered from questionnaires and interviews with migrants, the authors led that the migrants thought much about communications with the locals during the migration process and acquired housing through direct negotiations with homeowners. Also, we mainly indicated that there is a tendency to blend into the community while participating in local management activities.
Towards sustainable transitions of peri-urban neighborhoods of detached houses
Authors: Drouilles J , Rey E
Published: November 2020

Peri-urban neighborhoods of detached houses are facing countless challenges related to the building stock’s low energy efficiency, to the current demographic transition reducing household size and increasing the proportion of elderlies, to their distant location combined with exclusive residential use and few public transportation services. Those challenges represent growing issues for the upcoming years, with regard to the role those neighborhoods have to play in contributing to the collective challenge of the energy transition and to the fact they would have to cope with eventual future crisis. Hence the research investigates the transition potential of existing peri-urban neighborhoods of detaches houses by 2050, in Switzerland. Through a more focused approach, the paper, complemented with a poster, aims at highlighting how future evolutions might affect the overall sustainability of those residential areas. To do so, it focuses on the multicriteria assessment of five scenarios envisioned for peri-urban neighborhoods of detached houses and applied in six Swiss case-studies by 2050. The scenarios Caducity and Exclusivity follow business as usual trends. The scenario Opportunity investigates the effects of soft-densification processes, and Urbanity and Mutuality offer new perspectives towards densification or landscape integration. A multicriteria comparison relies on results of the systematic assessment of the neighborhoods’ environmental quality, energy efficiency, economic viability and social diversity in 2050 and of the scenario’s feasibility. It innovates by relying on a spatiotemporal assessment methodology developed at neighborhood scale. Altogether it provides a qualitative decision-making support by identifying strengths and weaknesses of each scenarios. The overall average results show that Urbanity, which concentrates its actions on a few plots, presents the best-balanced performances among all criteria. All the other scenarios are favorable to one or two criteria only. Besides providing decision-making support, this assessment also sets a framework to reorient public policies towards more resilient peri-urban residential neighborhoods.
Function-based system modelling to structure sustainability of buildings
Authors: Fauth R
Published: November 2020

A reduction of harmful environmental impacts regarding sustainable building design is challenging the real estate industry. Achieving this reduction, it is necessary to assess sustainable building design. Such assessments are mainly structured as a system of independent criteria and disciplines. These common procedures consume essentially time and resources. All buildings can be described as a system with different interactions to the environment. Relevant interactions for a sustainable environment can be systematically identified and modelled as sustainability functions. This approach aims to develop a function-based system by structuring criteria for an optimized assessment. Derived functions, like heat insulation and sun protection, indicate technical causes for the environmental impact for a better comprehensibility. The outcome of this paper supports further developments to assess the quality of sustainable design in the real estate environment.
Supporting sustainable urban planning process based on scenarios development
Authors: Moghadam Sara Torabi , Genta Chiara , Pignatelli Maurizia , Lombardi Patrizia
Published: November 2020

The transition towards sustainable cities requires extensive improvement of environmental and energy consumption performances. However, the design of alternative sustainable scenarios is a complex issue which involves a large number of indicators and multiple stakeholders. In this regard, the use of appropriate assessment tools and decision-making models for addressing this issue are needed. This study aims at presenting research activities with a specific focus on the definition of policies and decision-making models to guide future transformations in the city, developing a “sustainable path”. The result is a new multi-criteria indicators-based system for supporting decision making at the city level. This includes the organization of a workshop in order to select the relevant indicators and to assign the stakeholders’ preferences using a multi-criteria method. This approach is used in order to investigate the stakeholders’ perspectives on the impact of each indicator on the different future sustainable scenarios. Eight indicators have been selected, and accordingly, assessed through the collection of data for the “baseline” scenario. Next step will involve the definition of different forward-looking sustainable scenarios and the assessment of their impacts through the selected indicators. Finally, all the scenarios will be verified through a second interactive workshop as part of the sustainable urban planning process to choose the best scenario.
Roof windows – solutions and limitations
Authors: Tywoniak J , Stanek K , Calta V
Published: November 2020

Paper deals with the roof windows (skylights) from building physics point of view. Based on several introductory analyses an innovative solution of the frame and sash construction was developed in close cooperation with the industrial partner. Resulting parameters correspond to requirements set for passive house level windows (minimized heat transfer, avoided risk of water vapor condensation). The frame and sash consist of effective combination of soft wood and hardened plastics. Glazing unit can be traditional, triple glazed, or double glazed with additional two transparent foils dividing the space into 3 cavities. The analyses also showed that the effect of sloping, and the effect of thermal coupling between window and roof, play a significant role in the overall performance. Thermal transmittance of the roof window, U
w, in the best category developed here, is 0.50 W/(m2K). When both the effects are included, its real thermal transmittance, U
real, is increased to 0.82 W/(m2K). Further development ideas and impulses for theoretical studies are mentioned in the final part of the paper.
When low strength materials meet funicular structures: a sustainable clay floor structure solution for emerging contexts
Authors: Barentin Cristián Calvo , Zornatzis Ioannis-Athanasios , Landrou Gnanli , Demoulin Thibault , Habert Guillaume , Block Philippe
Published: November 2020

The inevitable expansion of the built environment due to the rapid growth of the urban population in emerging contexts poses a great challenge for the sustainable development of local communities. This problem could be faced by providing adequate multistorey building solutions while using sustainable and eco-friendly materials, preferably from renewable or upcycled and locally available sources. These materials tend to have lower mechanical properties than those commonly used in conventional structures and therefore not adequate for elements subjected to bending such as floor slabs. This challenge can be met by improving the strength of the locally available materials and/or using geometries specifically designed to lower the structural stresses such as funicular structures. In this study, a novel clay-based cementless material is used. Different mixtures and additives were tested to achieve similar processing advantages as concrete. A parabolic arched floor element is designed based on a parametric analysis using graphic statics to reduce structural stresses and weight. The fabrication system is based on reusable formworks in which locally available earth is used as part of the mould. A four meters span arched floor is built to analyse its structural behaviour and to evaluate the proposed fabrication method.
Re-introduction of traditional Persian materials for energy-efficient constructions
Authors: Hejazi Bina , Sakiyama Nayara R. M. , Frick Jürgen , Garrecht Harald
Published: November 2020

A practical way to reduce energy consumption is to use traditional construction methods and materials. Persian architecture has a long history of constructing energy-efficient and comfortable buildings for the human and has created sustainable cities. Hygrothermal analysis of a building in Yazd, a city in the hot-dry region of Iran, was performed, and the possibility of use of adobe in modern construction for energy-efficient buildings was examined. The aim was to determine the indoor temperature and relative humidity and study its effect using or not using cooling and heating systems. For the simulation, the WUFI + code was used, where internal temperature and relative humidity were determined. Results showed that the use of traditional materials had a considerable effect on reducing internal temperature and humidity fluctuations.
City Information Modeling (CIM) concepts applied to the management of the sewage network
Authors: Melo H C , Tomé S M G , Silva M H , Oliveira L R , Gonzales M M
Published: November 2020

To solve challenges in management of sewage infrastructure in cities with the same features of Piumhi, Brazil, this research seeks to study a method of work for the management sewage system that aims, based on accurate information, to act in a preventive way and increase the quality of the decision making as the city growths and new projects areas are occupied and to prioritize investments. Strategies for the field survey for the diagnosis of the collectors and interceptors and for wells’ information collect were stablished through meetings with the local autarchy SAAE (Water and Sewage Public Provider). A computational tool, based on Python codes, was developed to facilitate the input of georeferenced data into the QGis software. Tutorials of preventive management and contracting and supervision of future projects to the sewage network were also developed. The information obtained from the survey of the wells showed several barriers arising from the corrective management model adopted previously by SAAE and from ignorance of the population about the operation of the sewage network. During the network mapping, several stretches missing were found, some of them were corrected based on the analysis of the topography and of the wells upstream and downstream. The tool developed allows that any server of the autarchy gets access to the information about the operation of the system. Besides it allows the identification of problems and compares them to the conditions and features of the existing network, enables the definition of strategies of preventive actions and improvement of infrastructure from a historical assessment. The registration of the sewage network allowed match GIS tools and the BIM concepts, innovating the management process, improving the attendance to the population, increasing the quality of life and seeking a sustainable model that might be used by other public managers, walking towards the concept City Information Modeling.
Built Environment Ecosystems Framework towards Sustainable Urban Housing Infrastructure
Authors: Dyson Anna , Keena Naomi , Organschi Alan , Gray Lisa , Novelli Nick , Bradford Kipp , Aly-Etman Mohamed , Gindlesparger Matt , Wildman Hind , Duwyn Jonathan , Otto Martina , Loran Sophie , Beltrandi Catherine , Radka Mark
Published: November 2020

As the rates of urbanization increase to unprecedented levels, the urgent need for sustainable housing and infrastructure has become a widespread global challenge with social, economic and ecological implications. The housing sector directly impacts the majority of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs). However, striving to achieve these goals in a compartmentalized or siloed manner has impeded the implementation of transformational solutions that increase the security and wellbeing of urban populations. Here, we introduce the Built Environment Ecosystems (BEE) framework, alongside a case study from the Ecological Living Module (ELM) UNEP Program, through an integrated systems approach with synergistic impact. We demonstrate how the multifunctional interlinking of building systems that harness local bioclimatic resources (ie. solar, wind, water, food, agricultural waste, biomaterials) can more viably address a broad spectrum of sustainable development challenges, while increasing local stakeholder agency. We outline how the BEE framework enables the association of SDGs as an integrated package, with an ELM performing as a scalable but Self-reliant Ecosystem of Systems, that could enable systemic change, suggesting the need for further research towards a scale up in the density of such housing systems across multiple climatic and cultural contexts towards ubiquitous sustainable urban housing.
Digital urbanization of remote rural cities through design as a catalyst for sustainable development: The case study of Puerto Williams, Chile
Authors: Vivanco T , Yuan P
Published: November 2020

This article presents the firsts phases of interlocking between community, city and digital manufacturing infrastructures, focused on the case study of Puerto Williams, Chile, the southernmost city of the world. Its process of digital urbanization for sustainable development based on technological education for the local school and community, by combining digital fabrication for the design and production of local solutions. Located in Navarino Island, Puerto Williams has no high-speed internet connection, and it does not produce any energy and goods, being utterly dependent on ships that bring liquid gas, products and raw materials. In January of 2019, a fully-equipped Digital Fabrication Laboratory opened, and fibber optic internet expected to arrive by the end of 2020. These conditions establish the basis of digital urbanization process for rural, pre-digital and isolated communities.
Co-Evolution of Business Strategies in material and construction industries and public policies
Authors: Kytzia S , Meglin R , Kliem D , Scheidegger A , Hügel K
Published: November 2020

Traditionally, gravel, cement and concrete producers focus on their role as material or resource suppliers. The higher the material turnover, the higher the economic success. Hence, the business-model is in conflict with the societal goal of increased resource efficiency. Driven by stricter regulations, some companies have recently developed new business models focusing on additional services in waste-management and logistics. From a policy perspective, such diversification strategies are very interesting because they accelerate changes in economic structures that lead to increased resource efficiency. In our project, we analyse how this development could be further encouraged. We introduce the term “co-evolution” describing a process of mutual learning between representatives of public policies and business. To this end we use system dynamic modelling in combination with integrated assessment. In our transdisciplinary research approach, we collaborate closely with stakeholders in industries and public policy using group-model-building. Data is collected in case study analysis with seven different companies producing sand, gravel, cement, concrete and services in logistics, construction and waste management. Both system dynamic and assessment model are based on Material-Flow-Analysis on different scales (company and region). It proves to be a valuable tool to ensure consistency of both models as well as data quality. First results show that different policies in waste-management, resource-management and settlement development have a strong effect on decision making in material and construction industries.
Share, Preserve, Adapt, Rethink – a focused framework for circular economy
Authors: Kyrö R K
Published: November 2020

The concept of circular economy has peaked in both popular and scientific discussion in the past few years. Notwithstanding, no specific definition for circularity in the context of existing buildings is available. This research details a framework of circular economy in the built environment, focusing on existing buildings. The paper employs a systematic literature review on circular economy within built environment. The majority of the reviewed articles date from 2016-2019, confirming the novelty of the research area. Based on the literature review, research on circular economy in the built environment has to date largely focused on designing to facilitate circularity in the future, or salvaging and recycling building materials for new construction. This paper suggests a literature-based framework comprising three complementary approaches to implementing circularity in the context of existing buildings: 1) Share; 2) Preserve; 3) Adapt, and; 4) Rethink. The transition toward a circular economy in the built environment requires structured approaches, like the one presented here. The presented framework allows researchers to expand their thinking on circularity in the built environment, while providing practitioners a selection of potential managerial approaches. The suggested circular approaches may be particularly useful for the longer-term strategy work of real estate owners and managers.
Circular Building Design for the Infill Domain: Materialisation, and Value Network study of the Niaga ECOR Panel innovation
Authors: Geldermans B , Tavakolly N , Udding H-J
Published: November 2020

Circular Building gained traction during the past decade in the Netherlands. Circular Building (CB) is rooted in concepts such as Circular Economy and Cradle-to-Cradle®, accentuating closing and continuing of material flows to establish sustainable resource cycles. CB implies that buildings and building components are designed to retain value, tailored for specific service lives and responsive to changing needs. This way, wasting of buildings and building components can be reduced or avoided. This paper revolves around circular materialisation and operation of building infill, such as furniture, partitions, and kitchens. The short to medium-long material cycles usually associated with those components provide potential benefits for circular resource management. The paper comprises a study into materialisation and operational performance of the Niaga ECOR Panel (NEP): an innovative cellulose board product. NEP aims to offer a healthy and circular alternative for conventional linear board products and value chains, adhering to multiple Sustainable Development Goals, notably: SDG11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG12 (Responsible Production and Consumption). The study follows Circ-Flex assessment guidelines, anticipating operational performance through the supply, use, and reverse-supply chain. The findings indicate that the intrinsic properties of the NEP can enable circular infill value models, provided that networked actors remain aligned.