bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fog Water Harvesting Through Smart Façade for a Climate Resilient Built Environment
Authors: Di Bitonto Maria Giovanna , Kutlu Alara , Zanelli Alessandra 
Published: June 2023

AbstractWater emergency is one of the terrible effects of climate change; it is defined as the Blue gold of twenty-first century. In this scenario, fog stands as a potential alternative water resource. Many territories are affected by fog phenomenon; here fog collectors have been developed to extract water from humid mass of air. The aim of this paper is to explore the application of this technology in building sector. The Large Fog Collector is the device commonly used for these projects; it is a textile structure, composed of a mesh, two poles and cables. The exploitation of conventional water resources implies a massive distribution system with significant energy consumption and costs. Otherwise, fog harvesting is a passive system; it relieves the stress upon freshwater resources. Nowadays, fog collectors are low tech devices, and fog harvesting projects are commonly developed in arid areas for agricultural and reforestation purposes. Nevertheless, taking advantage of the vertical development of the device, this textile structure shall be integrated in façade, to promote resilient constructions and make buildings water self-sufficient. The paper explores the design criteria for the development of a novel concept of smart water collecting façade. It can promote also shading effect, reducing the use of cooling system, energy demand, so lowering the ecological footprint. Depending on fog Liquid Water Content, the collected water can be used for the irrigation of green roofs, gardens or in an optimal scenario also for domestic use. The analysis of local weather data is crucial to extend the territories where this system can be applied; but, more important, the improvement of the device’s technology is essential to implement it in new application fields.
Building Façade Retrofit: A Comparison Between Current Methodologies and Innovative Membranes Strategies for Overcoming the Existing Retrofit Constraints
Authors: Procaccini Giulia , Monticelli Carol 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThe constant expansion of the cities outside their borders, together with the rapid growth of new technologies and the environmental impact of the building sector, make existing buildings quickly obsolete, both in terms of their functions and their performances. Achieving the goal for greenhouse gas reduction by 2030 implies the necessity to improve the energy performances of the building stock and, for doing so, to overcome the existing constraints that very often prevent builders, tenants and residents from undergoing a renovation process. Given also that the building renovation contributes in the up-cycle strategy of the building stock, avoiding the production of unnecessary waste caused by demolition processes, innovative fast and average costly solutions must be shaped in order to encourage building façade renovation processes at different scales of interventions. Considering that membranes present some inherent properties (such as lightness, thinness, fast assembly, etc.) that make them suitable for both temporary and permanent façade renovations and valuable for overcoming current retrofit constraints, their investigation is of primary interest in order to promote and achieve an extensive building façade renovation. Starting by the investigation of Textile-based Façade Retrofit Solutions (TFRS), this analysis aims at comparing current methodologies with innovative membranes retrofit strategies, in order to evaluate the effectiveness and advantages of textile-based products in overcoming existing constraints to façade retrofit. The main goal of the analysis is to present innovative membrane existing solutions for making building façades resilient and adaptable to the several requirements expected from time to time. The research highlights future developments for TFRS with regard to both temporary and permanent solutions through their employment over existing façades.
New Perspectives for the Building Heritage in Depopulated Areas: A Methodological Approach for Evaluating Sustainable Reuse and Upcycling Strategies
Authors: Scolaro Antonello Monsù , De Medici Stefania , Giuffrida Salvatore , Trovato Maria Rosa , Cappello Cheren , Nasca Ludovica , Kaya Fuat Emre 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThe building reuse can reduce both consumption of non-renewable resources and production of construction and demolition waste, preserving the architectural and constructive culture. The progressive depopulation of the European inner areas is an opportunity to discuss the potential of reuse and sustainable adaptation of extensive heritage sites to cope with abandonment processes. The study of depopulation processes, as well as the investigation of case studies, allows to analyze the main strategies implemented to regenerate and repopulate abandoned inner areas, to highlight successful approaches and intervention criteria. In this scenario, “smart shrinkage” emerges as a powerful strategy to systemize resources and values embedded in the territories. On the basis of the economic-territorial interpretation of the performance decay process of buildings and settlement systems, developed by the research group of the Universities of Sassari and Catania, the paper proposes a multi-scale methodological approach for the evaluation of enhancement strategies and technological upcycling. The research links building performance with the urban and territorial values, integrating the Performance-Based Building Design in an axiological approach based on the solidarity between functions and values, referring to the economic category of human and urban capital. The model is tailored to the characteristics of Sardinia, the Italian region with the strongest population shrinkage in inner areas. The result is an analysis-evaluation-programming model, based on an iterative process of information/decision-making, allowing to steer intervention strategies toward a balance between the rehabilitation of the built environment and the enhancement of cultural and environmental resources, offering new opportunities for socioeconomic development.
Climate Adaptation in Urban Regeneration: A Cross-Scale Digital Design Workflow
Authors: Morganti Michele , Ricci Diletta 
Published: June 2023

AbstractUrban vulnerability has many facets. Among these, urban texture and plot pattern, building massing and density, greatly affect the microclimate. Thence, redefining urban regeneration design criteria for climate neutrality is crucial, including environmental factors in the design process at different scales. In the light of climate change, despite this urgent call, adaptive design approaches useful to assess trade-offs between urban regeneration scenarios and microclimate quality are lacking. This paper introduces a novel digital design workflow that integrates climate quality and associated indicators in urban and building design, adopting a cross-scale approach. The main goal is to increase the resilience of the built environment in the foresight of future scenarios, by promoting climate-sensitive design solutions. Environmental performances were analysed using digital tools and implemented in a design workflow, allowing urban microclimate analysis. Performance metrics were calculated using Urban Weather Generator and Energy Plus. With the former tool a climate performance comparative study has been run in different scenarios, by varying morphological parameters and computing the intensity of the Urban Heat Island. While, Energy Plus was used to simulate the impact of building form and UHI on building energy demand, highlighting the interdependence of different design scales and addressing optimal building performance. The results provide additional levels of knowledge, both in terms of analysis and design scenario evaluation: urban metrics and climate impacts, building form and envelope design, adaptation solutions. This workflow is tested and a scenario suitability for the Mediterranean city is shown, exploiting the research-by-design transformations of 22@ Innovation District of Barcelona. The paper highlights the correlation between microclimate and design solutions and lays the foundations for a climate/design cross-talk to help policymakers and practitioners achieve urban climate adaptation goals.
Short-Term Wind Speed Forecasting Model Using Hybrid Neural Networks and Wavelet Packet Decomposition
Authors: Lakzadeh Adel , Hassani Mohammad , Heydari Azim , Keynia Farshid , Groppi Daniele , Astiaso Garcia Davide 
Published: June 2023

AbstractWind speed is one of the most vital, imperative meteorological parameters, thus the prediction of which is of fundamental importance in the studies related to energy management, building construction, damages caused by strong winds, aquatic needs of power plants, the prevalence and spread of diseases, snowmelt, and air pollution. Due to the discrete and nonlinear structure of wind speed, wind speed forecasting at regular intervals is a crucial problem. In this regard, a wide variety of prediction methods have been applied. So far, many activities have been done in order to make optimal use of renewable energy sources such as wind, which have led to the present diverse types of wind speed and strength measuring methods in the various geographical locations. In this paper, a novel forecasting model based on hybrid neural networks (HNNs) and wavelet packet decomposition (WPD) processor has been proposed to predict wind speed. Considering this scenario, the accuracy of the proposed method is compared with other wind speed prediction methods to ensure performance improvement.
Adaptive “Velari”
Authors: Raimondi Alberto , Rosini Laura 
Published: June 2023

AbstractAs it is known, the global phenomenon of rising temperatures causes uncomfortable and often harmful conditions for human beings living in moderate-climate zones, such as the Mediterranean area, especially in the hottest periods. Examinations of metropolitan cities can witness that high temperatures generate Urban Heat Island (UHI), due to population, buildings, vehicles and human activities in general. With the increase of rising temperatures in the latest decades, people living in big cities have gotten used to tackling heat discomfort with electricity charged cooling systems. As a result, the energy consumption for air-conditioning causes UHIs’ effects to further grow. It is scientifically confirmed that the behavioral habit of relying on artificially generated cold whenever temperatures rise will eventually make the climate crisis more problematic in the near future. Energy communities are used to producing, storing and consuming energy on site; therefore, power sources must be in close proximity to users. Albeit neglected in the Modern Era, the most proximate and sustainable energy supply is directly available to us: sunlight. The origin of hot temperatures, discomfort and energy waste is, indeed, the most exploitable power generator men can access to. In Southern Europe or Middle East cities, the use of veils as urban-scale shading devices is part of the consolidated tradition; a well-known example can be found in the Spanish city of Sevilla, where textile curtains named “Sevillans” are stretched between buildings. At the present time, we’re witnessing that the climate mitigation action of shading systems can be pursued in combination with energy production, with the development of membrane integrated flexible photovoltaic cells (PV). Masdar City in the United Arab Emirates, designed by the Foster Studio, or the Solar trees of the German pavilion at EXPO 2015 in Milan and the Promenade of the EXPO 2021 in Dubai are some innovative yet relevant cases. The use of PV cells for sun-shielding purposes is optimal to respond to a double-sided problem with a single object. Manufacturing an adaptive velario using composite fibers (i-Mesh), could both allow us to design the shape and modulate the density of integrated PV cells as needed. Method: To identify the best position for the adaptive tensile canopies, it is necessary to superimpose different site-specific data: temperatures in the urban area, in particular close to buildings; surfaces that receive most of the daytime radiation; sunlight and ventilation. To develop the most suitable solutions to many environmental scenarios, three-dimensional simulations performed with virtual models must be used both at urban (Envimet) and at building scale (in-Sight). Expected results: An algorithm capable of determining the “Velari” best position and the proper shading/density factor. A model, applied to a case study in Rome, to serve an evaluation of the benefits of this technology in terms of decreasing surface temperatures of external horizontal and vertical surfaces of buildings and streets.
A Serious Game Proposal for Exploring and Designing Urban Sustainability
Authors: Romano Manuela , Rogora Alessandro 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThis contribution reports on part of the research carried out in the development of a digital serious game to explore and design urban sustainability. The work investigates the application of role-playing logics in urban transformation planning processes. Digital technologies support the participatory process and allow users to learn, interact and discuss the effectiveness of solutions when co-designing quality conditions for the everyday living environment and the sustainable development of their area. The method intends to develop procedures and simulations that aim to clarify and verify the results that transformations can have on the area’s ecological footprint. During the game, players gain knowledge and awareness of the individual behaviour changes and the built environment trasformations, necessary in order to impact their areas as sustainably and as little as possible. Prefiguring resilient and sustainable urban habitats, increasing user awareness of the need to adopt more responsible behaviours, increasing ability of the built environment to meet community needs by practising low environmental impact lifestyles: these key aspects are observing at all phases of the design process. This paper describes the progress of research carried out on the construction of the structure and rules of the game, developed prior to testing the method in the context of the municipality of Rescaldina, in the Milan metropolitan area.
Industrial Heritage of Belgrade: Brownfield Sites Revitalization Status, Potentials and Opportunities Missed
Authors: Pavlović Jelena , Šabanović Ana , Ćuković-Ignjatović Nataša 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBeing created during the period of intensive industrialization, industrial buildings and landscapes carry importance as birth places of rapid technological progress, social and economic changes, which has established their great significance for modern human history and identity. Termination of their active function causes symptoms of decline to appear gradually, and their number decreases as the time passes. They are often endangered regardless of their protection status. Implementation of adaptive reuse principles allows for less strict approach to conservation practice, and its benefits are demonstrated worldwide. Despite that fact, industrial heritage has not been revitalized enough through adequately treated sites in Serbia. That indicates lack of understanding of the value of this cultural and historical heritage, as well as its suitable future purposes, impossible without some form of active dialog between participants in the planning process. The legal preconditions for this collaboration exist in Serbian regulations, and they are examined in the paper, but other potential causes of the lack of consensus that result in failure are also explored. In Belgrade, industrial brownfields occupy attractive locations, often targeted for market-driven redevelopment. For that reason, the paper explores current practice of revitalizing brownfield sites of industrial heritage in Belgrade. It considers the achievements, probable missed opportunities, and remaining potentials where acquired knowledge can be utilized. Key results of the research define critical points in the planning process for the preservation of values despite the modernity of brownfield sites transformations. The purpose of this paper is to help safeguard industrial landscapes of Belgrade and Serbia, and their sustainable conversion, the most adequate for the present moment, as well as to contribute to urban reconstruction of declining landscapes to which these brownfield sites belong.
New Urban Centralities: Universities as a Paradigm for a Sustainable City
Authors: Maitan Camilla , Faroldi Emilio 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThe urgency of facing up to the new challenges posed by climate change has relaunched the debate on the future of the city, a thought which points to public buildings as the way to promote the main processes of urban regeneration, both physical and social. Universities and their spaces are among the permanent architectures of the consolidated fabric. With their educational role par excellence, they are one of the most suitable urban institutions through which to promote an environmentally responsible attitude. The concept of sustainability is now an undisputed value which involves all applied disciplines, but the debate on how architecture should respond to this urgent need is still open. This paper proposes dialectical ecologism as an attitude to achieve significant environmental standards not only through the choice of sustainable materials and technologies, but also by rediscovering in public and community spaces, as well as in the character and language of architecture, the potential to make the built environment adaptable and resilient to contemporary challenges. In these terms, an initial theoretical reflection, whose main subject is the university campus and its contribution in terms of ecological impact and wise use of resources, will be followed by a description of the themes that guide sustainable design, which find application in the actions recently conducted on two Milan campuses of the Polytechnic University of Milan.
Environment for Healthy Living
Authors: Giofrè Francesca 
Published: June 2023

AbstractHow do we build a healthy vision of the future? What interventions should architects promote to support human health and well-being, and from where do we start? The paper discusses the concept of health in a broader vision through international documents, focusing on the area of action for architects, and stressing the crucial role of collaborative, multisectoral, and transdisciplinary approaches to achieving optimal health balance. Moreover, it argues that the various contributions presented at the Conference link them to a unique vision.
New Paradigms for Indoor Healthy Living
Authors: De Capua Alberto 
Published: June 2023

AbstractFor some time, we have been witnessing a series of alarms that warn us that our wealth is leading to an exaggerated and increasing use of energy and resources, as well as the deep and irreversible transformation of natural systems and social inequality, causing a continuous growth of the overall impact of the human species. “Ecology” and “environment” have become the key words of the third millennium: a media bombardment that has helped to overcome the insurmountable barrier of indifference and insensitivity. Everything that has to do with architectural design, from the choice of materials to the technologies used, has been confronted with the term “sustainability,” whose meaning, despite the attempt to place it in a univocal definitional apparatus, always takes on different nuances and meanings. The text defines the complex system of principles that animate architecture today whether those aimed at greater attention to and protection of the health of users and the environment or also concerns social and economic issues when it is proposed as a cultural, social, ecological and economic change necessary to safeguard future generations. Today, we are often witnesses of an inadequacy and poor quality that concerns precisely the aspects of health and safety. The origin of this failure is attributable to attitudes, indifferent to housing needs, easily found in the majority of designers: the environmental scale of the project intended mainly as morpho-typological abstraction, the superficiality in technological choices, and the poor verification of interactions between technical elements and housing needs.
Healthy and Empowering Life in Schoolyards. The Case of Dante Alighieri School in Milan
Authors: Dessì Valentina , Fianchini Maria , Zuccoli Franca , Colombo Raffaella , Morrone Noemi 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThis paper presents a participatory process aimed at improving outdoor education in a primary school in Milan. The rationale of this work was that the psycho-physical benefits for children from outdoor living could be enhanced through outdoor education. Indeed, open-air environments are fit for supporting learning experiences, bringing out different abilities and improving well-being. Moreover, during the COVID-19 pandemic, schoolyards turned out to be a resource for overcoming physical distancing. Nevertheless, the availability of flexible physical environments and proper equipment for the educational goals is a basic condition for overcoming difficulties in the extensive use of outdoor spaces in schools. The purpose of this work was to support the school in designing new outdoor educational environments with a focused vision on the pedagogical context. Thus, the process was developed by a multidisciplinary team with the involvement of the students and the teaching staff. By the initial analytical stage, site and use conditions as well as emerging needs were enlightened. These outcomes were assumed to develop a design solution both suitable for the innovation goals and attentive to environmental aspects. The proposal was selected for funding by the Municipality and implemented. Finally, a three-year post-occupancy evaluation program started in the earliest stages of use. In conclusion, by the first monitoring activities, it emerged that outdoor educational experiences increased and diversified from the past, together with students’ perception of opportunities and benefits achieved from more frequent and longer work in external environments, and their expectation of involvement in proposing further implementations.