bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
On net zero GHG emission targets for climate protection in cities: More questions than answers?
Authors: Lützkendorf T , Balouktsi M 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Two separate, but interacting, global agendas are now leading to new, additional requirements for the future development of cities: The UN Agenda 2030, putting cities at the heart of sustainable urban development with its Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11, and the Paris Agreement COP21 adopting the 1.5 °C target as a basis for global emissions reductions. Regulators and researchers have widely recognized the necessity to put cities, as an important object of assessment, and city authorities, as an important actor group, at the core of climate mitigation efforts. For cities themselves this topic becomes a factor of competition among peers. In their pursuit of a low carbon future, however, they are confronted with a number of theoretical and practical questions regarding target setting and subsequent planning for mitigation. As a contribution to the current discussion, the paper initially clarifies on which principles the allocation and accounting of city-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are typically based. A good understanding of the GHG sources and reduction potentials is essential for defining feasible targets and designing efficacious reduction strategies. Built on this, the paper then presents how climate targets are defined at city level and analyses the methodological considerations that arise in the case of target-setting approaches involving bringing the emissions balance to zero. Although first definitions of “net zero emission” concepts on an urban scale can be found in literature, their precise meaning and applicability still remain vague, with unclear system boundaries, calculation and assessment rules. This paper provides a definition framework for clarifying such concepts.
Crafting local climate action plans: An action prioritisation framework using multi-criteria decision analysis
Authors: Balouktsi M 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
The COP21 target to keep global warming to well below 2 (or 1.5) degrees Celsius cannot be met without massive transformation in cities. A major challenge on the road to nearly greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions-neutral cities is the successful development of a climate action plan (CAP) by the local authority, sometimes within the framework of its participation to different initiatives (e.g. the Global Covenant of Mayors). While the identification of the best actions for reaching their long-term GHG emission reduction target constitutes a common decision-making problem for local authorities, it is also an intricate one: conflicting and incommensurable aspects such as environmental, economic, social and technical issues, as well as conflicting stakeholder interests should be dealt with simultaneously when actions have to be programmed. Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) methods are well-known to cope with these complexities and have already been used for decades in several fields. However, they have not been systematically used within the context of local CAPs. The methodologies which are normally implemented to support the prioritisation of actions wholly or to a great extent rely on economic analyses and do not capture the potential co-impacts. In this context, this paper proposes a general participatory framework for guiding collaborative prioritisation of actions as a methodology to help local authorities with the development of more sustainable CAPs, while using MCDA. Finally, advantages, limitations and further steps in research regarding the proposed framework are discussed.
Climate-resilient urban planning and architecture with GREENPASS illustrated by the case study ‘FLAIR in the City’ in Vienna
Authors: Kraus F , Scharf B 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Urban growth and climate change are 2 of the main challenges worldwide [20]. Cities are growing rapidly while average temperatures are rising, and extreme weather conditions, as heavy rain events, are becoming more frequently. Soon 4 out of 5 EU citizens are living in cities [6]. The results are increasing costs for health expenses and infrastructure damages. Urban planning processes have to consider future climate conditions and the impact on people, buildings and the urban environment. Until today there was no simple solution to measure and calculate the climate impacts of urban developments. GREENPASS® is a technological breakthrough, the world’s first software-based technology for climate-resilient and resource-efficient urban development. After 9 years of scientific research and development the technology can easily be used by urban planners as architects and be integrated into existing urban planning workflows and processes.
With GREENPASS® the impact of buildings, materials and plants on urban climate become measurable and comparable in a standardized way – powered by ENVI-met®. It supports optimization of investments towards effects of Green Infrastructure (trees, green roofs and walls, …) such as cooling, thermal comfort, water retention and carbon sequestration. GREENPASS® allows to identify the optimal solution for any urban development. Supported projects receive finally a GREENPASS® certificate on their overall performance. The technology has already been applied successfully for more than 25 projects within Austria and Europe [3] and will be explained more in detail using the case study of ‘FLAIR in the City’ - the world’s first GREENPASS® Gold-certified residential building, located in Vienna/Austria.
Integrated evaluation of energy and emission reduction potential and management strategies for urban road systems
Authors: Anastasio S , Wu S , Bohne R A , Passer A , Spaun S , Kristensen T , Li J , Xie J , Kreiner H , Hoff I , Barbieri D M , Vignisdottir H R , Lau A , Amirkhanian S , Hoxha E 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Solving the problems of high energy consumption and high emissions generated by the urban road systems is of great importance for the construction of low-carbon cities. Several tools have been developed to establish a method to evaluate the carbon emission related to the life cycle of road pavements. However, the lack of key basic data such as energy consumption, pollutants and carbon emissions, and accurate management policies have hindered the transition of urban roads to clean, low-carbon systems. The HERMES project aims to compile long-term dynamic inventory of urban road energy consumption and environmental emissions and build a life cycle model. The Data Envelopment Analysis model will be used to predict the energy saving and emission reduction potential of urban roads depending on the technological solution, establish a multi-criteria evaluation system that includes energy, environment, and economic parameters, identify the best available technological solution in different cities, and propose a more targeted and effective clean low-carbon management policies. The study will provide an accurate understanding of the environmental impact of urban roads in China and Europe, evaluate the potential for energy saving and emission reduction, and provide theoretical data and decision-making reference for a clean, low-carbon transition.
Towards housing sustainability: a framework for the decision-making process of tenants
Authors: Pagani A , Binder C R 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
The mismatch between the supply and demand of rental apartments in Switzerland represents an obstacle to the transition towards a more sustainable society. The difficulty for the housing providers to accommodate the fast societal change of the demand brings about an increase in vacancies and, to minimize investment risks, a resistance to innovation in the building sector. In this context, understanding the determinants of tenants’ residential mobility and location choice becomes key to designing and promoting sustainable housing. In this paper we present a new interdisciplinary framework for the decision-making process of tenants. To do so, we elucidate the main parameters of the decisions to move and where to move, based on literature review and a group discussion in the Swiss canton of Vaud with the tenants of the two housing providers SCHL and Swiss Mobiliar. We find that the desired housing function determines the tenants’ housing selection. We observe that this desired function changes according to the type of trigger that pushes tenants to move. Additionally, we elicit the potential sustainability implications of the housing functions in the Swiss context. We conclude that the framework can serve as a starting point for rethinking sustainable interventions in the housing sector.
Identification and comparison of LCA-BIM integration strategies
Authors: Wastiels L , Decuypere R 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
With increasing use of BIM (Building Information Modelling) in the design of construction projects, opportunities arise to integrate Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) in early design phases efficiently with minimum additional burden for the design team. Different levels of integration can be envisaged, ranging from a BOQ export (Bill Of Quantity) based on the BIM-model to import in native LCA-software, up to a real time LCA-calculation within the native design environment, giving real time feedback on design decisions, or alternatively utilizing the standardized BIM-information exchange format IFC. Based on the evaluation of existing tools, this paper focuses on the possible workflows for the integration of LCA and BIM. A comparative analysis between these different information flow structures exposes their advantages and disadvantages, depending on the design phase they are used in and the availability of generic, product-specific or manufacturer-specific LCA-data.
Sustainable building information modeling in the context of model-based integral planning
Authors: Ebertshäuser S , Graf K , Von Both P , Rexroth K , Di Bari R , Horn R 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Solving complex issues of energy-efficiency – at the building as well as urban level – requires a holistic, integrated approach. The energetic behavior of a system should not only be considered in individual processes or phases, such as operation. A holistic optimization should rather consider the explicit energy flows as well as the material fluxes including the associated gray energies over the entire system life cycle. The realization of such a holistic integral planning process implies an integrated planning-accompanying evaluation and optimization of the planned object. The early use of LCA tools and sustainable building assessment systems (SBA) provides an important basis for assessing planning decisions at a conceptual level for their impact on the entire lifecycle of a building and for ensuring good sustainability performance.
In practice, however, it is currently evident that the non-standardized and inadequate connection of simulation and balancing tools (e.g. LCA) to BIM authoring tools and the resulting high time expenditure for data acquisition and LCA application counteracts with a targeted stronger penetration of the market.
For realizing a consistent integral planning process – especially in early planning phases – an IFC-based interface is being developed for the connection of LCA tools to BIM models (data input) and the preparation and configuration of the LCA result data for the designated use in different SBA. In this contribution, from the interface specifications for different levels of granularity and concretization in the different planning phases that are developed by means of norm-based processes of model standardization in an underlying research project, parts regarding the early project stages will be presented.
IBPSA Project 1: BIM/GIS and Modelica framework for building and community energy system design and operation – ongoing developments, lessons learned and challenges
Authors: Wetter M , van Treeck C , Helsen L , Maccarini A , Saelens D , Robinson D , Schweiger G 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
IBPSA Project 1 develops and demonstrates an open-source BIM/GIS and Modelica Framework for building and community energy system design and operation. The project builds further on the completed project IEA EBC Annex 60 “New generation computational tools for building and community energy systems based on the Modelica and Functional Mockup Interface standards.” This paper describes the motivation and approach of the project, and it provides an update about recent activities. These activities include development of a core Modelica library for building and community energy systems; development of BOPTEST, a virtual test bed to test advanced controllers such as MPC; development of GIS/BIM data model translators for Modelica; development of new workflows for improved productivity and quality assurance of urban-scale energy simulation; and development of DESTEST, a validation test for district energy models.
Evaluation of BIM based LCA in early design phase (low LOD) of buildings
Authors: Nilsen M , Bohne R A 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a convenient tool that is capable of collecting information throughout the whole life cycle of a building in one platform. The evolution in the digital BIM model in early design stages is not standardized, but Level of Development (LOD) is a concept that systematically structures the design processes divided into five levels. LOD is assessed in this paper as an opportunity to enhance the calculation of the environmental impacts in different early design stages more efficiently, using the methodology Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Enlightening the building elements that contribute to highest release of CO
2, permits early building material selection. This facilitates a pathway towards sustainable and environmentally friendly buildings. This study evaluates BIM based LCA in early design stages (low LOD) through literature reviews and a case study. This papers’ case study executes LCAs at different LOD levels using the LCA software One Click LCA (OCL). Assessments in LOD 200, LOD 300, LOD 350 and an additional LOD 350 were utilized. The additional LOD 350 was deployed when LCA experts had implemented changes within OCL. Moreover, a concretized suggestion where today’s unpredictable development of BIM becomes part of a LOD framework is proposed.
Lessons learned from assessing life cycle impacts for an environmental product declaration: Examples for run-of-river power plant
Authors: Meili C , Jungbluth N 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
When conducting life cycle assessments (LCA) for environmental product declarations (EPD), researchers struggle with many methodological questions. For certain products there are several standards (e.g. ISO and EN) and Product Category Rules (PCR) available which all seem applicable. These standards, however, might lead to different results. Depending on the standard, system boundaries might be drawn differently than typically done in ones preferred background database. Another common issue is a lack of a clear definition of assessment methods (version, download of factors) to be applied. Or on a more practical level, you might not know how or where to obtain certain requested figures from your LCA data or even how to start with building an appropriate model in the LCA-software. The authors of this paper explain each of these issues with an example from their practical work, provide their instant solutions and make suggestions for general improvement of the situation. In general, they call for a more precise and practical guideline and easy-to-use LCIA methods for conducting EPDs.
Large scale smart meter data assessment for energy benchmarking and occupant behaviour profile development
Authors: Horváth M , Adams J N , Deme Bélafi Z , Czétány L , Szalay Z , Várnagy S , Reith A , Csoknyai T 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
This paper will present objectives and first results of the research project entitled “Large Scale Smart Meter Data Assessment for Energy Benchmarking and Occupant Behaviour Profile Development of Building Clusters,” implemented in the geographical scope of Hungary. The project seeks to utilize a new and unique opportunity for accessing and processing an enormous dataset collected by smart meters. Recently in Hungary, nearly 10 000 buildings have been equipped with smart meters within the “Central Smart Grid Pilot Project”. By means of advanced data analysis techniques, consumption trends and motivations of building users are being investigated. The aims are to help building designers and engineers design more energy efficient buildings at lower investment costs by avoiding system oversizing, and to obtain better knowledge about hourly, daily and monthly energy consumption trends. Furthermore, standard net demand values for normative energy calculations can be updated and specified more precisely since consumption habits change with time and depend on the region.
Optimizing the economic, environmental and technical performance of concrete mixes with fly ash and recycled concrete aggregates
Authors: Kurda R , Silvestre J D , Brito J 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThis study answers an important question that may arise when selecting a sustainable concrete, namely “concrete mixes containing low cement and recycled aggregates are a sustainable solution?” To answer this question, this study shows how to optimize concrete mixes in terms of technical performance, and economic and environmental life cycle. Firstly, the weight to be considered for each of these dimensions of performance depends on the concrete application (e.g. residential house and high-rise building) and on the consumer’s requirements (e.g. business as usual, green, strength, service life and cost scenarios). In this study, concrete mixes containing recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) and/or fly ash (FA) are optimized to be used in sustainable residential houses. For that purpose, the CONCRETopmethodology (developed by the same authors of this study) was applied to these concrete mixes by considering a “green scenario”. The results show that, for sustainable residential houses, the concrete mixes made with high incorporation ratios of FA and RCA are considered the best option.
Variability of environmental impact of ready-mix concrete: a case study for Brazil
Authors: Silva F B , Oliveira L A , Yoshida O S , John V M 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Life Cycle Assessment is a powerful tool towards sustainable construction, but it often relies on average impact results, failing to identify the dispersion of environmental impact among construction product manufacturers. This work presents cradle-to-gate impact results for ready-mix concrete production, based on primary data provided by several plants in Brazil, and the associated variability among plants and in the upstream processes of cement and sand production. Four compressive strength classes are considered. Concrete, cement and aggregates inventories are modeled with Brazilian information and other upstream processes are based on ecoinvent. EN 15804 impact categories are assessed. The ranges between minimum and maximum impact values can be as large as 7.2 times the average impact result of the analyzed sample, which shows that the variability among manufacturers is high and decisions based on average impacts may be highly misleading. For some impact categories, the differences among concrete plants (mix design, cement type and operational conditions) represent the highest contribution for variability, while for others the dominant variation comes from upstream processes, especially clinker production. These results indicate a high potential for process improvement and that manufacturer selection based on environmental performance can be an effective strategy for sustainable construction.
Overview of recycled concrete research through development years (2004-2018)
Authors: Xiao J , Singh A D , Duan Z , Pan Y , Qin J 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Along with the urbanization process, large amount of construction and demolition (C&D) waste during the construction, reconstruction, expansion or demolition of buildings is generated. Meanwhile, the impact on environment due to natural aggregate mining has become increasingly significant. These factors have driven the building industry to look for environmentally friendly materials and focusing on sustainable construction. Through nearly a decade of research, recycled concrete (RC) made with recycled aggregates manufactured from construction and demolition (C&D) waste has shown a competitive performance compared to natural materials and has already achieved industrial application. Researches on sustainably recycled concrete have become an essential part of sustainable development and continue to play a vital role for future research.
This paper engages in the discussion and the overview of research done by the Research Group for Recycled Concrete Structures and Construction at Tongji University, Shanghai. The first part discusses the necessary mechanical and durability properties of recycled concrete with recycled aggregate as well as recycled powder focusing on workability, strength, Poisson’s ratio, stress-strain behaviour along with carbonation, chloride penetration shrinkage and creep. The second part throws light on the elements and structures made with recycled aggregate concrete (RAC), discussing the behaviours of RAC components and structures.
Environmental impact of timber frame walls
Authors: Steeman M , Himpe E , Vanroelen M , De Roeck M 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Timber frame walls are increasingly applied nowadays due to the stringent energy performance requirements of buildings. The aim of this study was to investigate the environmental impact of this type of construction. Therefore, a cradle to gate analysis was used. The study consists of three consecutive steps. First the impact of the constituting materials was studied. The results show e.g. that the environmental impact of LVL studs is significantly larger than that of SLS studs or I-joists. Based on these results on material level, in the second stage three timber frame walls were designed and evaluated. All walls had the same thermal performance. When comparing the results, it was noted that the environmental impact of the wall with the highest impact is three times larger than that of the wall with the lowest impact. Finally, the study also looked at the additional impact of tapes for guaranteeing the air tightness of timber frame constructions and at the impact of fasteners. It could be concluded that the impact of tapes is negligible when looking at the total impact of the wall (less than 1%). The fasteners on the other hand, lead to an increase in environmental impact with almost 20%.