Rehabilitation of Obsolete Neighbourhoods

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Architectural Design, Urban Science, and Real Estate".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 August 2024 | Viewed by 4968

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
University Institute of Architecture and Building Sciences, School of Architecture, University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain
Interests: vernacular and heritage architecture; energy poverty; passive design; solar architecture; indoor comfort; healthy housing design; rehabilitation of obsolete neighbourhoods; learning by doing; social architecture

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Guest Editor Assistant
University Institute of Architecture and Building Sciences, School of Architecture, University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain
Interests: passive architecture; thermal comfort; adaptive comfort; thermal simulations; energy saving in buildings; energy efficiency; fuel poverty; modelling; indoor environment; development of housing prototypes; energy refurbishment; policy, society, and housing

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to address the obsolescence of numerous residential centres built at the beginning of the second half of the 20th century, which attempted to provide a solution to the high migration to the cities.

The passage of time, coupled with the global energy crisis and climate change, makes it particularly relevant to analyse different strategies and methodologies for the rehabilitation of housing (and their urban environments) that aim to save energy and improve the comfort and habitability conditions for people, especially those who are most vulnerable.

Four possible lines of research have been established:

  • Heritage/Culture;
  • Comfort/Health;
  • Materiality/Construction;
  • Energy/Conditioning.

Dr. Rafael Herrera-Limones
Guest Editor

Álvaro López-Escamilla
Guest Editor Assistant

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Buildings is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • obsolete neighbourhoods
  • fuel poverty
  • indoor environment
  • indoor comfort
  • healthy design
  • social housing
  • conditioning strategies
  • heritage neighbourhoods
  • modelling

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

23 pages, 1363 KiB  
Article
Decision-Making Conflict Measurement of Old Neighborhoods Renovation Based on Mixed Integer Programming DEA-Discriminant Analysis (MIP DEA–DA) Models
by Hanfei Shi, Xun Liu and Siyu Chen
Buildings 2024, 14(3), 785; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14030785 - 14 Mar 2024
Viewed by 588
Abstract
Renovating old neighborhoods for the benefit of people has become increasingly important in urban renewal. Nevertheless, old neighborhood renovations are currently considered a group decision-making issue under public participation, involving diverse decision-making subjects. Conflicts within a group are a common problem during group [...] Read more.
Renovating old neighborhoods for the benefit of people has become increasingly important in urban renewal. Nevertheless, old neighborhood renovations are currently considered a group decision-making issue under public participation, involving diverse decision-making subjects. Conflicts within a group are a common problem during group decision-making. In this paper, conflict is examined in the decision-making process for renovating old neighborhoods and novel ideas are provided for quantifying conflict. Public participation in old neighborhood renovations is assessed using conflict degree calculations in group decision-making. Based on the preferences of decision-making experts, a MIP DEA–DA (Mixed Integer Programming Data Envelopment Analysis–Discriminant Analysis) based partial binary tree cyclic clustering model is constructed for clustering experts, and an aggregated group conflict indicator and an aggregated conflict vector are computed, allowing for the quantification of conflict during the renovation process of the old neighborhood based on actual situations. Results indicate that there is primarily a conflict between the benefits of decision-making subject interests and the professionalism of decision-making renovations. This paper contributes to improving public participation, promoting the application of group decision-making theory in old neighborhood renovation, reducing conflict between decision-makers, and speeding up urban renewal. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rehabilitation of Obsolete Neighbourhoods)
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22 pages, 10186 KiB  
Article
Double-Skin Facades for Thermal Comfort and Energy Efficiency in Mediterranean Climate Buildings: Rehabilitating Vulnerable Neighbourhoods
by Álvaro López-Escamilla, Rafael Herrera-Limones and Ángel Luis León-Rodríguez
Buildings 2024, 14(2), 326; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14020326 - 24 Jan 2024
Viewed by 776
Abstract
The ongoing global energy crisis in Europe has intensified energy poverty in vulnerable households, prompting a critical examination of passive retrofit strategies for improving the habitability of obsolete social housing in southern Europe from the 1960s. Given the Mediterranean climate’s characteristics (hot summers [...] Read more.
The ongoing global energy crisis in Europe has intensified energy poverty in vulnerable households, prompting a critical examination of passive retrofit strategies for improving the habitability of obsolete social housing in southern Europe from the 1960s. Given the Mediterranean climate’s characteristics (hot summers and mild winters), these buildings possess low thermal resistance envelopes designed for heat dissipation in summer but contribute to elevated heating demands in colder months. In response to the pressing need for solutions that strike a balance between reducing energy demand and ensuring year-round comfort, this research explores diverse approaches. Drawing insights from built prototypes in Colombia and Hungary and utilizing a validated simulation model in Seville, Spain, this study investigates the feasibility of implementing a double-skin envelope on building facades and assesses the impact of thermal insulation in the air chamber. So, the research specifically aims to find an equilibrium between lowering energy demand and maintaining adequate comfort conditions, concentrating on the renovation of obsolete social housing with envelopes featuring low thermal resistance in the Mediterranean climate. Results indicate that, due to the poor thermal envelope, the influence of thermal insulation on comfort conditions and energy savings outweighs that of the double skin. Consequently, the emphasis of renovation projects for this climate should not solely concentrate on passive cooling strategies but should strive to achieve a positive balance in comfort conditions throughout the year, encompassing both warm and cold months. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rehabilitation of Obsolete Neighbourhoods)
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41 pages, 5268 KiB  
Article
Retrofit Strategies for Alleviating Fuel Poverty and Improving Subjective Well-Being in the UK’s Social Housing
by Leena Shwashreh, Ahmad Taki and Mike Kagioglou
Buildings 2024, 14(2), 316; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14020316 - 23 Jan 2024
Viewed by 1400
Abstract
This research delves into the intricate realm of social housing flat units within tower blocks in Leicester, as a microcosm that serves as a perfect reflection of the larger problem of fuel poverty among social housing systems within the UK. The multifaceted approach [...] Read more.
This research delves into the intricate realm of social housing flat units within tower blocks in Leicester, as a microcosm that serves as a perfect reflection of the larger problem of fuel poverty among social housing systems within the UK. The multifaceted approach intertwines energy efficiency upgrades, indoor comfort, and resident satisfaction. Rooted in a comprehensive methodology, this research seeks to address pressing societal challenges within these architectural projects, from fuel poverty and well-being to environmental sustainability and social justice. Through surveys, interviews, audits, simulations, and detailed analyses of summer and winter thermal performance, this study navigates the complex interplay of factors that influence retrofit success. The findings underscore the transformative potential of comprehensive retrofit measures and the paramount importance of resident engagement while offering a potential holistic checklist for future projects. This research paves the way for future studies encompassing contextual diversity, interdisciplinary collaboration, and long-term impact assessment. As it advances, these findings guide the commitment to fostering positive change, enhancing lives, and contributing to a more sustainable and equitable future in social housing retrofit endeavours. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rehabilitation of Obsolete Neighbourhoods)
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23 pages, 3759 KiB  
Article
A Feasible Proposal for Energy-Efficient Roof Retrofitting in Southern European Obsolete Residential Neighborhoods
by Carlos-Antonio Domínguez-Torres, Helena Domínguez-Torres, Miguel Hernández-Valencia, Jorge Roa-Fernández and Rafael Herrera-Limones
Buildings 2024, 14(1), 88; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14010088 - 28 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 748
Abstract
1960s Europe saw a large number of residential neighborhoods built to house those migrating from the countryside. Today, more than 50 years later, these neighborhoods suffer high levels of functional, social, and technical obsolescence. In response to this, the University of Seville developed [...] Read more.
1960s Europe saw a large number of residential neighborhoods built to house those migrating from the countryside. Today, more than 50 years later, these neighborhoods suffer high levels of functional, social, and technical obsolescence. In response to this, the University of Seville developed the Aura Strategy as an intervention methodology to find global solutions to issues in outdated neighborhoods. To provide visibility to this aspect of the Aura Strategy, the retrofit proposal presented in this article provides a solution to improve the roofing of buildings in a case study neighborhood (Polígono de San Pablo, Seville) and an analysis of the results in terms of energy and financial savings for local residents. The results show that for a population of roughly 18,000 (in 2018), net savings, including energy and retrofitting costs, ranging from nearly €6.5 to over €8.6 million can be made over the 20-year life-cycle span. Likewise, the results obtained on the reduction of thermal loads indicate a 72% decrease in energy consumption, equivalent to a saving of close to 4500 tons of greenhouse gas emissions for the district and the entire life-cycle time period, with the consequent benefits on the impact on air quality and the fight against climate change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rehabilitation of Obsolete Neighbourhoods)
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