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Zero-Emission Buildings and the Sustainable Built Environment
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Zero-Emission Buildings and the Sustainable Built Environment

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Building Energy, Physics, Environment, and Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 August 2025 | Viewed by 6100

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Sebastian George Maxineasa

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Building Services, "Gheorghe Asachi" Technical University of Iasi, 700050 Iasi, Romania
Interests: zero-emission buildings; sustainable development in civil engineering; life cycle assessment; life cycle costing/whole life cycle costing; and social life cycle assessment methodologies; natural environment; built environment; sustainable cities; energy efficient buildings; hygrothermal design of building components; numerical modelling of hygrothermal behaviour; traditional building materials; composite materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Ligia Mihaela Moga

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil Engineering and Management, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Technical ‎University of Cluj-Napoca, 400027 Cluj-Napoca , Romania
Interests: high-performance buildings design; numerical ‎‎modelling and simulation of ‎hygrothermal behaviour; ‎energy auditing of ‎buildings; development of specialized ‎software; construction materials;‎ ‎environmental impact of buildings and green ‎‎technologies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is common knowledge that fulfilling the primary dimensions of sustainability is considered to be the most important challenge for humankind at the beginning of the 21st century. Among all economic activities, the construction sector is considered to have one of the most consequential influences over the Earth’s ecosystem, having a negative effect on global warming phenomena due to the tremendous volumes of greenhouse gases that are emitted into the atmosphere during the entire life cycle of a structure. At the same time, the built environment exerts significant pressure on natural resources due to the considerable quantities of materials that are consumed across all applications of the civil engineering sector. Moreover, by taking into consideration the levels of non-renewable energy that are consumed during the manufacturing stages of construction materials as well as during the operation stages of buildings, and factoring in that this industry has a significant economic and social impact, it is justified to view the construction sector as a key player in sustainability globally.

The main purpose of the present Special Issue is to assist and support the publication of papers tackling the setbacks encountered while working to achieve the complete sustainable development of the built environment with respect to zero-emission buildings. The Editors will look for manuscripts that showcase innovative ideas and products and analytical, numerical, and experimental analyses with the goal of furthering solutions that significantly reduce the negative impact of the built environment by taking into consideration greenhouse gase emissions.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome and research topics may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Zero-emission buildings;
  • Life cycle assessment;
  • optimising the consumption of traditional building materials;
  • new ways of reducing the environmental impact of traditional building materials;
  • using waste from different industries in the construction sector;
  • new construction materials;
  • construction solutions and materials with a reduced impact on the natural environment;
  • sustainable building design;
  • green roofs;
  • green walls;
  • indoor comfort;
  • urban comfort;
  • digital fabrication techniques;
  • urban heat island;
  • energy efficient buildings;
  • reducing the influence of thermal bridges;
  • heat and mass transfer analysis;
  • passive heating and cooling;
  • renewable energy;
  • recycling of construction materials;
  • solutions for strengthening and reusing the existing building stock with respect to its environmental impact.

We are looking forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Sebastian George Maxineasa
Dr. Ligia Mihaela Moga
Guest Editors

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 semimonthly 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

  • zero-emission buildings
  • sustainable development
  • natural environment
  • built environment
  • environmental impact
  • energy efficient buildings
  • sustainability assessment
  • green infrastructure
  • building materials
  • greenhouse gases emissions
  • recycling and reusing

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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36 pages, 13294 KiB  
Article
An Innovative Multi-Story Trombe Wall as a Passive Cooling and Heating Technique in Hot Climate Regions: A Simulation-Optimization Study
by Ahmed Abdelsamea, Hamdy Hassan, Hassan Shokry, Takashi Asawa and Hatem Mahmoud
Buildings 2025, 15(7), 1150; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15071150 - 1 Apr 2025
Viewed by 452
Abstract
This study develops an optimized multi-story Trombe Wall (MTW) as a hybrid passive system for heating, cooling, and PV electricity generation. Unlike previous research, which focused on single-story applications and heating efficiency, this study explores MTW performance in hot climates. The methodology includes [...] Read more.
This study develops an optimized multi-story Trombe Wall (MTW) as a hybrid passive system for heating, cooling, and PV electricity generation. Unlike previous research, which focused on single-story applications and heating efficiency, this study explores MTW performance in hot climates. The methodology includes four phases: identifying TW design parameters, selecting and validating a case study, applying a two-stage optimization, and developing predictive equations. Results show that the MTW achieves up to a 1.94 °C decrease in cooling mode, a 1.56 °C increase in heating mode, a 40% increase in thermal comfort hours, and a 31% rise in annual PV electricity generation. Finally, the developed regression models demonstrated strong predictive capability (R2 = 70.2–95.73%) for discomfort and electricity generation. The proposed MTW provides a cost-effective and sustainable solution, supporting designers and researchers in optimizing building performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zero-Emission Buildings and the Sustainable Built Environment)
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30 pages, 11697 KiB  
Article
Variability in Heating Demand Predictions: A Comparative Study of PHPP and Mc001-2022 in Existing Residential Buildings
by Sebastian George Maxineasa, Dorina Nicolina Isopescu, Ioana-Roxana Vizitiu-Baciu, Alexandra Cojocaru and Ligia Mihaela Moga
Buildings 2024, 14(9), 2923; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14092923 - 15 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1109
Abstract
The construction industry is a key driver of environmental change due to its extensive use of resources and high emissions, thus significantly burdening global efforts towards sustainable development targets. A large portion of the environmental footprint of buildings results from the energy required [...] Read more.
The construction industry is a key driver of environmental change due to its extensive use of resources and high emissions, thus significantly burdening global efforts towards sustainable development targets. A large portion of the environmental footprint of buildings results from the energy required to sustain indoor comfort levels. Thus, enhancing the energy efficiency of existing buildings becomes critical in reducing their environmental impact. This study explores the impact of thermal performance improvements on the heating demand, employing numerical modeling and two energy performance methodologies, PHPP and Mc001-2022, across various climatic datasets and case studies in Romania. The results show substantial variability in heating demand predictions: Mc001-2022 predicts up to 27.2% higher continuous heating demands and 21.0% higher intermittent demands compared to PHPP in one case study. In the second case study, the differences range from 8.1% higher to 6.9% lower for continuous heating and from 3.3% higher to 9.9% lower for intermittent heating, depending on the scenario. These findings underscore the importance of the methodological choice and localized climatic data in heating demand assessments, highlighting the need for a tailored, context-specific approach to energy performance assessment, integrating multiple energy efficiency measures suited to the unique characteristics of each building. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zero-Emission Buildings and the Sustainable Built Environment)
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Review

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41 pages, 4485 KiB  
Review
Exploring Uncharted Territories in a Vertical Greening System: A Systematic Literature Review of Design, Performance, and Technological Innovations for Urban Sustainability
by Miktha Farid Alkadri, Yuliana, Muthiah Hakim Hadini, Stefanie Aylien Jonatan, Aprilia Yolanda, Putri Alifia Desiana, Nur Fitriatus Sa’diah, Dalhar Susanto, Noor Fajrina Farah Istiani and Muhammad Suryanegara
Buildings 2025, 15(7), 1102; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15071102 - 28 Mar 2025
Viewed by 537
Abstract
Urban areas face escalating environmental and social challenges, including rising temperatures, air pollution, limited green spaces, and noise pollution, driven by rapid urbanization and energy-intensive systems. Vertical greening systems (VGS) have emerged as a promising passive design strategy to mitigate these issues by [...] Read more.
Urban areas face escalating environmental and social challenges, including rising temperatures, air pollution, limited green spaces, and noise pollution, driven by rapid urbanization and energy-intensive systems. Vertical greening systems (VGS) have emerged as a promising passive design strategy to mitigate these issues by enhancing thermal regulation, air quality, biodiversity, and psychological well-being. However, existing research on VGS remains fragmented, often addressing isolated aspects rather than adopting a holistic approach that integrates design, fabrication, implementation, and long-term performance monitoring. This study employs a systematic literature review (SLR) to comprehensively analyze technological advancements in simulation, fabrication, and maintenance within VGS research. Key research gaps identified include the lack of an integrated design–simulation–optimization workflow, limiting the ability to improve VGS performance efficiently. By synthesizing current knowledge and proposing future research directions, this review aims to advance VGS as a scalable and adaptable solution for urban challenges, optimizing its functionality, sustainability, and overall effectiveness in improving urban livability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zero-Emission Buildings and the Sustainable Built Environment)
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Other

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22 pages, 3561 KiB  
Systematic Review
Systematic Review on the Barriers and Challenges of Organisations in Delivering New Net Zero Emissions Buildings
by Masoud Mahmoodi, Eziaku Rasheed and An Le
Buildings 2024, 14(6), 1829; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14061829 - 16 Jun 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3237
Abstract
Achieving the net zero emissions target that was set in the Paris Agreement to mitigate the risks of climate change seems increasingly difficult as countries and sectors of the economy are falling behind the expected trajectory. The building and construction industry, as one [...] Read more.
Achieving the net zero emissions target that was set in the Paris Agreement to mitigate the risks of climate change seems increasingly difficult as countries and sectors of the economy are falling behind the expected trajectory. The building and construction industry, as one of the main contributors to global emissions, has an essential role to play toward this aim. Net zero emissions target has been introduced to this sector as well; however, achieving it is a very challenging and complex task. Many studies have been undertaken on implementing different measures and strategies to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint. These studies identified many challenges and barriers in transforming the industry. This paper aims to provide a systematic review of challenges that organisations face in delivering new net zero emissions buildings. The relevant journal articles published since the Paris Agreement were identified and analysed using mixed-method data analysis, including quantitative (science mapping) and qualitative (thematic) analysis. The result showed increased attention to the subject over this period, with China, the UK, and Australia being the top contexts for research. The most discussed groups of barriers were “economic”, “knowledge”, and “technical”, respectively, followed by “organisational”, “market”, “technological”, and “legal” barriers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zero-Emission Buildings and the Sustainable Built Environment)
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