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Innovative Strategies for Net-Zero Carbon Cities Integrating Renewable Energy, Smart Infrastructure and Circular Economy Models

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 10686

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Hanaa Hachimi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
National School of Applied Sciences, Ibn Tofail University of Kenitra, Kenitra, Morocco
Interests: optimization and operational research; graph theory; statistics; probability; cryptography; reliability; AI; scientific computing
Dr. Chakib El Mokhi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Higher School of Technology, Ibn Tofail University, Kénitra, Morocco
Interests: optimization of energy production; energy efficiency using metaheuristic optimization algorithms
Dr. Abderrahim Lakhouit

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Environmental Engineering at University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia
2. Institut de Recherche en Mines et Environnement (IRME), Université de Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Rouyn-Noranda, QC, Canada
Interests: environmental engineering; construction materials; wastewater treatment; sustainable infrastructure

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Aim and Scope:

The transition to net-zero carbon cities is a global challenge that requires innovative and interdisciplinary solutions. Achieving net-zero emissions depends upon the integration of renewable energy, smart infrastructure, and circular economy models to create resilient, efficient, and sustainable urban environments. This Special Issue explores emerging technologies, policy frameworks, and practical strategies that facilitate the decarbonization of cities while enhancing livability and economic sustainability.

Due to rapid urbanization and increasing energy demands, cities now play a vital role in the mitigation of climate change. Advancements in solar, wind, bioenergy, and hydrogen can transform urban energy systems and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. Smart infrastructure powered by the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence enables optimized energy use, sustainable mobility, and data-driven decision-making. Circular economy principles, including resource efficiency, recycling materials, and waste-to-energy strategies, can minimize our environmental impact.

This Special Issue welcomes the submission of original research, reviews, and case studies whose scope includes, but is not limited to, the following topics:

  • Renewable energy integration and hybrid urban energy systems;
  • Smart infrastructure, IoT-based urban management, and AI-driven energy efficiency;
  • Circular economy, waste-to-energy strategies, and sustainable construction materials;
  • Low-carbon transportation, electric vehicles, and sustainable public transit;
  • Climate resilience, nature-based solutions, and urban heat island reduction;
  • Sustainable building design, passive strategies, and net-zero energy buildings;
  • Economic pathways, green financing, and carbon pricing mechanisms;
  • Policy frameworks, governance models, and public–private partnerships.

By uniting diverse perspectives, this Special Issue aims to advance science-based, policy-driven solutions for net-zero carbon cities.

Target Audience:

This Special Issue is intended for researchers, urban planners, engineers, policymakers, and innovators working in the fields of AI, smart city development, and sustainability. It welcomes contributions from academia, industry, and governmental institutions in order to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and the exchange of innovative solutions. By engaging a broad range of stakeholders, this Special Issue aims to promote the development of smart, sustainable, and resilient urban environments, advancing knowledge and practice regarding the realization of net-zero carbon cities.

Prof. Dr. Hanaa Hachimi
Dr. Chakib El Mokhi
Dr. Abderrahim Lakhouit
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-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability 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 2400 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

  • net-zero cities
  • renewable energy
  • smart infrastructure
  • circular economy
  • recycling
  • sustainable urban development

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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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27 pages, 9187 KB  
Article
Comparative Analysis of PV and Hybrid PV–Wind Supply for a Smart Building with Water-Purification Station in Morocco
by Oumaima Ait Omar, Oumaima Choukai, Wilian Guamán, Hassan El Fadil, Ahmed Ait Errouhi and Kaoutar Ait Chaoui
Sustainability 2025, 17(19), 8604; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17198604 - 25 Sep 2025
Viewed by 742
Abstract
Water and energy are strongly intertwined, especially in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) whose electrical loads can strain local grids. This work evaluates the technical, economic, and environmental feasibility of powering the WWTP attached to the smart building of Ibn Tofail University (Morocco) with [...] Read more.
Water and energy are strongly intertwined, especially in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) whose electrical loads can strain local grids. This work evaluates the technical, economic, and environmental feasibility of powering the WWTP attached to the smart building of Ibn Tofail University (Morocco) with building-integrated photovoltaics (PV) and a complementary wind turbine. Using the HOMER Pro optimizer, two configurations were compared: (i) stand-alone PV and (ii) a hybrid PV/wind system. The hybrid design raises the renewable energy fraction from 8.5% to 17.9%, cutting annual grid purchases by 8% and avoiding 47.9 t CO2 yr−1. The levelized cost of electricity decreases from 1.08 to 0.97 MAD kWh−1 (≈0.11 to 0.10 USD kWh−1), while the net present cost drops by 6%. Sensitivity analyses confirm robustness under grid electricity tariff and load-growth uncertainties. These results demonstrate that modest wind additions can double the renewable share and improve economics, offering a replicable pathway for WWTPs and smart buildings across the MENA region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Strategies for Net-Zero Carbon Cities Integrating Renewable Energy, Smart Infrastructure and Circular Economy Models)
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22 pages, 3082 KB  
Article
Hybrid Forecasting for Sustainable Electricity Demand in The Netherlands Using SARIMAX, SARIMAX-LSTM, and Sequence-to-Sequence Deep Learning Models
by Duaa Ashtar, Seyed Sahand Mohammadi Ziabari and Ali Mohammed Mansoor Alsahag
Sustainability 2025, 17(16), 7192; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17167192 - 8 Aug 2025
Viewed by 2024
Abstract
Accurate forecasting is essential for effective energy management, particularly in evolving and data-driven electricity markets. To address the increasing complexity of national energy planning in The Netherlands, this study proposes a hybrid multi-stage forecasting framework to improve both short- and long-term electricity demand [...] Read more.
Accurate forecasting is essential for effective energy management, particularly in evolving and data-driven electricity markets. To address the increasing complexity of national energy planning in The Netherlands, this study proposes a hybrid multi-stage forecasting framework to improve both short- and long-term electricity demand predictions. We compare three model types, classical statistical (SARIMAX), hybrid statistical–deep learning (SARIMAX–LSTM), and deep learning (sequence-to-sequence), across forecasting horizons from 1 to 180 days. The models are trained on daily load data from ENTSO-E (2009–2023), incorporating exogenous variables such as weather conditions, energy prices, and socioeconomic indicators, as well as engineered temporal features such as calendar effects, seasonal patterns, and rolling demand statistics. Three feature configurations were tested: exogenous-only, generated-only, and a combined set. Internally generated features consistently outperformed exogenous inputs, especially for long-term forecasts. The sequence-to-sequence model achieved the highest accuracy at the 180-day horizon, with a mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of approximately 1.88%, outperforming both SARIMAX and the SARIMAX–LSTM hybrid models. An additional SARIMAX-based analysis assessed the individual effects of renewable and socioeconomic indicators. Renewable energy production improved short-term accuracy (MAPE reduced from 2.13% to 1.09%) but contributed little to long-term forecasting. Socioeconomic variables had limited predictive value and, in some cases, slightly reduced accuracy, particularly over long-term horizons. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Strategies for Net-Zero Carbon Cities Integrating Renewable Energy, Smart Infrastructure and Circular Economy Models)
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19 pages, 5602 KB  
Article
Assessing the Environmental Impact of PV Emissions and Sustainability Challenges
by Abderrahim Lakhouit, Nada Alhathlaul, Chakib El Mokhi and Hanaa Hachimi
Sustainability 2025, 17(7), 2842; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17072842 - 22 Mar 2025
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 5423
Abstract
The aim of this study is to evaluate the environmental impact of solar energy by analyzing its emissions, resource consumption, and waste generation throughout its life cycle. As one of the most widely adopted energy sources, solar power offers substantial benefits in reducing [...] Read more.
The aim of this study is to evaluate the environmental impact of solar energy by analyzing its emissions, resource consumption, and waste generation throughout its life cycle. As one of the most widely adopted energy sources, solar power offers substantial benefits in reducing greenhouse gas emissions; however, its broader environmental footprint requires careful examination. The production, operation, and disposal of solar panels contribute to pollution, water consumption, and hazardous waste accumulation, with an estimated 250,000 tons of solar waste reported in 2016 alone. Furthermore, solar power generation requires significant water resources, averaging 650 gallons per megawatt-hour of electricity. A key focus of this study is the emissions associated with solar technology, particularly during panel manufacturing and operation. Using HOMER Pro software, this research quantifies the emissions from Trina Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels (345 Wp), revealing an annual output of 49,259 kg of carbon dioxide, 214 kg of sulfur dioxide, and 104 kg of nitrogen dioxide. This Study obtained using HOMER Pro primarily account for operational emissions and do not include full lifecycle impacts such as raw material extraction, transportation, and disposal. These findings highlight the trade-offs between solar energy’s environmental advantages and its indirect ecological costs. While solar systems contribute to energy security and long-term economic savings, their environmental implications must be factored into energy planning and sustainability strategies. This study underscores the importance of developing greener manufacturing processes, improving recycling strategies, and optimizing solar farm operations to reduce emissions and resource depletion. By providing a comprehensive assessment of solar energy’s environmental impact, this research contributes valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders seeking to balance the benefits of solar power with sustainable environmental management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Strategies for Net-Zero Carbon Cities Integrating Renewable Energy, Smart Infrastructure and Circular Economy Models)
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Review

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20 pages, 2219 KB  
Review
Sustainable Practices in Construction Management and Environmental Engineering: A Review
by Abdulaziz Alghamdi
Sustainability 2025, 17(22), 10027; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172210027 - 10 Nov 2025
Viewed by 1219
Abstract
The construction industry is one of the most resource-intensive and environmentally impactful sectors, responsible for nearly 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions, over one-third of energy consumption, and a significant share of raw material depletion. These figures underscore the urgent need to transform [...] Read more.
The construction industry is one of the most resource-intensive and environmentally impactful sectors, responsible for nearly 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions, over one-third of energy consumption, and a significant share of raw material depletion. These figures underscore the urgent need to transform conventional approaches to project delivery and resource management. Integrating construction management with environmental engineering offers a comprehensive pathway to enhance efficiency, mitigate environmental pressures, and align the sector with international sustainability commitments. This paper presents a systematic review of peer-reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2025 to evaluate sustainable practices that connect these two domains. The review focuses on five thematic areas: project delivery and management strategies with sustainability goals, environmental engineering tools such as pollution control and life cycle assessment, green certification frameworks, waste reduction and circular economy practices, and the integration of emerging digital and material technologies. Together, these areas illustrate how managerial systems and engineering solutions can jointly foster sustainable outcomes. The review indicates notable progress in fields such as green certification adoption, the use of Building Information Modeling for resource efficiency, and advanced recycling technologies. However, persistent challenges remain. These include the uneven uptake of sustainable practices between developed and developing economies, limited application of digital innovations such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, and insufficient policy coordination to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. By synthesizing dispersed insights across disciplines, this review contributes an integrated perspective that clarifies current achievements, highlights unresolved gaps, and suggests directions for future research and practice. The analysis is intended to support policymakers, industry professionals, and scholars in accelerating the transition toward a more resource-efficient and environmentally responsible construction sector. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Strategies for Net-Zero Carbon Cities Integrating Renewable Energy, Smart Infrastructure and Circular Economy Models)
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