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Environments
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Sustainable Built Environments and Cities: Innovations in Energy, Materials, and...
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Sustainable Built Environments and Cities: Innovations in Energy, Materials, and Control Systems

A Special Issue of Environments (ISSN 2076-3298).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 March 2026) | Viewed by 6458

Editors

Dr. Niima Es-Sakali

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Green Energy Park (IRESEN, UM6P), Benguerir 43150, Morocco
Interests: energy-efficient buildings; thermal comfort; building AI applications; multi-objective optimization; building energy systems
Dr. Federico Minelli

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Piazzale V. Tecchio, 80, 80125 Naples, Italy
Interests: building energy performance; HVAC systems; renewable energy; zero emission buildings; energy efficiency; multi-objective optimization; multi-criteria decision-making
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Umberto Berardi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
ArCoD Department, Polytechnic University of Bari, Bari, Italy
Interests: energy-efficient buildings; nearly zero-energy buildings; energy storage; advanced materials; nanotechnologies; phase change materials; climate change; resilient buildings
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The built environment is a central contributor to global environmental challenges, including climate change, resource depletion, and energy overconsumption. As cities and buildings account for a significant share of energy use and emissions, the transition toward sustainable and environmentally intelligent design and operation is more urgent than ever. This Special Issue of Environments aims at bringing together cutting-edge research and interdisciplinary approaches that advance the sustainability of buildings and urban systems.

We welcome contributions exploring both technological innovations and material solutions that reduce the environmental footprint of the built environment while enhancing energy performance and occupant well-being. Of particular interest are studies that address renewable energy integration, green and biosourced construction materials, intelligent control systems, and digital tools for environmental performance monitoring and optimization.

Topics of interest include

  • Biosourced and low-carbon construction materials;
  • Phase-change materials (PCM) for thermal regulation;
  • Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) and renewable energy systems;
  • Energy management systems (EMSs) and model predictive control (MPC);
  • Indoor air quality (IAQ), thermal comfort, and occupant well-being;
  • Digital twins, building information modeling (BIM), and AI-based optimization and prediction;
  • Life cycle assessment (LCA) and environmental performance metrics;
  • Circular economy strategies in design and construction;
  • Climate-resilient urban planning and passive design approaches;
  • Simulation-based energy and environmental modeling.

This Special Issue seeks to provide a collaborative platform for academics, practitioners, and policymakers aiming at shaping a future where buildings and cities are environmentally responsible, energy-efficient, and human-centered.

Dr. Niima Es-Sakali
Dr. Federico Minelli
Dr. Umberto Berardi
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Environments 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 1800 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

  • sustainable biosourced building materials
  • phase-change materials (PCMs)
  • energy management systems (EMSs)
  • model predictive control (MPC)
  • indoor air quality (IAQ)
  • digital twins and BIM
  • life cycle assessment (LCA)
  • urban environmental sustainability
  • net-zero energy buildings
  • circular economy in construction

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  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
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  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

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

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Editorial

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6 pages, 177 KB  
Editorial
Sustainable Built Environments and Cities: Connecting Climate Resilience, Resource Efficiency, Human-Centered Design, and Digital Innovation
by Niima Es-sakali, Federico Minelli and Umberto Berardi
Environments 2026, 13(9), 486; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13090486 - 31 Aug 2026
Viewed by 352
Abstract
Buildings and cities are now at the heart of climate and resource transitions [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Built Environments and Cities: Innovations in Energy, Materials, and Control Systems)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

20 pages, 3056 KB  
Article
Integrating Smart Digital Infrastructures for Energy Management and Maintenance in Sustainable Renewable Projects
by Gregory Felipe Franco-Miranda, Angel Molina-Garcia and Antonio Mateo-Aroca
Environments 2026, 13(6), 341; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13060341 - 16 Jun 2026
Viewed by 627
Abstract
While rapid digital transformation has significantly optimized sectors such as finance and e-commerce, maintenance management in industrial environments has historically received lower levels of technological and capital investment. This lag creates critical gaps in operational efficiency and asset longevity, particularly within renewable energy [...] Read more.
While rapid digital transformation has significantly optimized sectors such as finance and e-commerce, maintenance management in industrial environments has historically received lower levels of technological and capital investment. This lag creates critical gaps in operational efficiency and asset longevity, particularly within renewable energy infrastructures where sustainability and resilience are paramount. Addressing this technological disparity is essential for minimizing ecological footprints and maximizing the viability of net-zero systems. This paper introduces an advanced multi-platform digital solution designed to optimize the operation and maintenance of renewable energy systems and smart infrastructures. The platform addresses traditional management gaps by implementing standardized protocols that integrate real-time remote monitoring, sensor networks, and cloud-based data acquisition. By centralizing historical and real-time data from solar, wind, and hybrid grids, it facilitates advanced analytics, such as predictive modeling of component degradation. Real-world validation across photovoltaic plants and wind farms demonstrates significant impacts: a 30% reduction in unplanned outages and a 20% to 25% decrease in operational and maintenance costs. The results confirm that digitalizing maintenance processes is a strategic pillar for the energy transition, aligning industrial performance with global low-carbon pathways. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Built Environments and Cities: Innovations in Energy, Materials, and Control Systems)
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28 pages, 5399 KB  
Article
Smart Lighting Integration in Educational Buildings: A Climate-Responsive and User-Centred Framework for Classroom Retrofit
by Berta García-Fernández and Javier Fernández Bonilla
Environments 2026, 13(6), 306; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13060306 - 29 May 2026
Viewed by 1149
Abstract
This study develops and applies a climate-based, user-centred and data-informed framework to assess lighting performance in educational buildings through the integrated use of daylight, high-efficiency LED systems and smart lighting controls. The research was conducted as a case study in university classrooms in [...] Read more.
This study develops and applies a climate-based, user-centred and data-informed framework to assess lighting performance in educational buildings through the integrated use of daylight, high-efficiency LED systems and smart lighting controls. The research was conducted as a case study in university classrooms in Madrid, Spain, using a mixed-methods approach that combined in situ illuminance measurements, climate-based simulations with DIALux Evo 12.1, lighting energy assessment and structured user-perception surveys. The main objective was to quantify the dynamic interaction between daylight availability, electric lighting demand and perceived visual comfort, while assessing the energy-saving potential of daylight-responsive control strategies. Results show that the existing LED systems meet current illuminance requirements, with calculated lighting power density values ranging from 4.38 to 12.47 W/m2. However, the analysis also reveals that high daylight availability does not necessarily guarantee better lighting performance, since excessive or uneven daylight can generate spatial imbalance, glare risk, and reduced visual stability. Survey results confirmed a strong student preference for daylight and exterior views but also showed that visual task clarity and glare control remain essential for user-centred lighting design. Overall, the findings demonstrate that effective classroom lighting retrofits should move beyond LED replacement alone towards adaptive, daylight-driven and user-centred control strategies capable of reducing energy use while maintaining visual comfort in educational buildings under Mediterranean climatic conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Built Environments and Cities: Innovations in Energy, Materials, and Control Systems)
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21 pages, 3612 KB  
Article
Why Marginal Gains Matter: Reducing Construction Waste to Cut Costs and Carbon in UK Housebuilding
by Emilia Sage and Rosi Fieldson
Environments 2026, 13(6), 290; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13060290 - 24 May 2026
Viewed by 952
Abstract
Building cost-effective homes that comply with stringent environmental regulations remains a significant challenge for the UK housebuilding sector, particularly for social housing providers. In the context of net zero targets and reducing embodied carbon, this study examines opportunities to minimise material waste and [...] Read more.
Building cost-effective homes that comply with stringent environmental regulations remains a significant challenge for the UK housebuilding sector, particularly for social housing providers. In the context of net zero targets and reducing embodied carbon, this study examines opportunities to minimise material waste and associated impacts. Using an inductive mixed-methods approach, the research began with a literature review to establish baseline waste rates across key material streams. It then analysed material usage data from three completed housing developments, comparing estimated quantities with actual orders and spend to identify discrepancies between assumptions and real-world outcomes. To validate these findings, a controlled case study tracked the construction of a single four-bedroom home, enabling direct measurement of waste rates and assessment of cost and carbon implications at unit level. Results highlight a series of marginal gains achievable through improved estimating and procurement practices, which collectively offer potential for significant financial savings and reductions in embodied carbon when scaled nationally. For social housing providers, these efficiencies could lower build costs, support sustainability goals, and create opportunities to reinvest in additional housing delivery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Built Environments and Cities: Innovations in Energy, Materials, and Control Systems)
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23 pages, 791 KB  
Article
Climate-Resilient Schoolyards: Comparative Strategies and Priorities for Urban Climate Adaptation
by Carmen Díaz-López, Carmen María Muñoz-González, Alejandro Morales-Ruiz and Rubén Mora-Esteban
Environments 2026, 13(4), 188; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13040188 - 31 Mar 2026
Viewed by 1935
Abstract
Schools are increasingly recognised as critical public infrastructure for urban climate adaptation, particularly in heat-vulnerable and park-poor neighbourhoods. This study examines schoolyards as distributed cooling systems, social spaces, and educational landscapes and proposes an integrated decision support approach for programme comparison and prioritisation. [...] Read more.
Schools are increasingly recognised as critical public infrastructure for urban climate adaptation, particularly in heat-vulnerable and park-poor neighbourhoods. This study examines schoolyards as distributed cooling systems, social spaces, and educational landscapes and proposes an integrated decision support approach for programme comparison and prioritisation. A comparative review of nine international schoolyard transformation programmes (Paris, Barcelona, Madrid, Milan, Rotterdam, Los Angeles, New York, Melbourne, and Santiago de Chile) was conducted using municipal plans, reports, and implementation guidance. Design strategies, governance configurations, and monitoring approaches were synthesised through a CAME (Correct, Adapt, Maintain, Explore) framework. Building on this synthesis, a Multicriteria Analysis framework was developed to support prioritisation across four criteria families: environmental and climatic performance, social and educational equity, urban integration and accessibility, and feasibility and co-benefits. The results highlight a recurrent toolkit of interventions—depaving, tree planting, shade provision, cool and permeable surfaces, nature-based drainage systems, and monitoring practices—that is consistently associated in the reviewed evidence with improved thermal comfort, stormwater performance, biodiversity, and community use beyond school hours. It is concluded that a combined CAME–Multicriteria Analysis structure provides a transferable basis for transparent, criteria-based prioritisation of schoolyard interventions by local governments and school authorities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Built Environments and Cities: Innovations in Energy, Materials, and Control Systems)
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