bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
SDG indicator set as multi-level and multi-sectorial decision support tool combining national reporting and local knowledge on the built environment
Authors: Mueller André 
Published: November 2020

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Abstract
This paper follows the process of developing a pilot project at Lø in Steinkjer, where a zero emission neighbourhood was planned and which included the upgrading of the old offices of the Norwegian Broadcasting Company (NRK) to a zero emission kindergarten. The decision-making process up to March 2018 is described. When the decision to demolish the NRK building and build a new kindergarten at Lø was made, stopping plans for a ZEN pilot project. The decision was based on the wishes of representatives from two kindergartens who were to be co-located in the planned zero emission kindergarten. The paper asks why two different understandings of the needs of the project were established and proposes solutions for avoiding disaffection with projects with high energy and environmental ambitions during the early stages of the development process.
Method. An ethnographic process was carried out by the Research Centre for Zero Emission Neighbourhoods in Smart Cities (ZEN Centre) in collaboration with Steinkjer Municipality in Norway in 2017 and 2018. The process included participant observation, individual semi-structured interviews and group interviews.
Results. During the planning process, the representatives from the kindergartens experienced that they were not heard, and that the needs of the building users were peripheral to the discussions taking place. When the chairmanship of Steinkjer Municipality took the decision to demolish the old NRK building and build a new kindergarten at Lø, the kindergarten representatives finally felt that user needs were in focus. The process is presented and discussed in the form of two main stories. (1) The citizen’s story about the kindergarten at Lø, where the kindergarten representatives’ reasons for their request for a new, rather than upgraded kindergarten building, are told. (2) The story about the ZEN pilot project in Steinkjer, that is external, and concept based. In this story, the reasons for the enthusiasm for the pilot project by Steinkjer municipality and ZEN researchers are explained.
The value of children’s access to safe public space: building urban children’s resilience against the shocks and threats of resettlement in manila, philippines
Authors: Deaton L 
Published: November 2020

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

Abstract

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

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

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

Abstract

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

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

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

Conclusion. The comparison of allocation approaches and first recommendation on an allocation approach provides an important step towards circular life cycle assessment and, subsequently, helps promote the CE concept within the building industry.