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Optimization and Evaluation of Climate Responsive Design Solutions for Buildings and Cities: 2nd Edition

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 9139

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Jacopo Gaspari

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Architecture, University of Bologna, 40136 Bologna, Italy
Interests: high performing building envelopes; energy efficiency; analysis of construction and operating energy; adaptation and climate responsive strategies; LCA and service life of buildings and components; innovation and smart buildings; smart districts and smart cities
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Lia Marchi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Architecture, University of Bologna, 40136 Bologna, Italy
Interests: multicriteria assessment tools; sustainability or resilience rating systems; outdoor thermal comfort; energy and users in buildings; mitigation of climate change
Dr. Laura Aelenei

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratório Nacional de Energia e Geologia | LNEG, Estr. da Portela 999, Amadora, Portugal
Interests: energy efficiency; positive energy districts; positive energy buildings; energy communities; sustainable development
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The recurrency of extreme weather conditions and the impact of climate change on the built environment call for an urgent and deep reflection not only on solutions able to support the achievement of a carbon-neutral society, but also on how to deal with resource scarcity that will affect many regions across the globe in the next decades.

Climate Responsive Design represents the combination of several approaches and strategies to make buildings and cities able to respond to contemporary challenges optimizing their systems, configuration and operation according to variable and sometimes extreme context conditions.

This Special Issue of Sustainability aims at collecting scientific contributions on climate-responsive solutions focusing on adaptive capacity, energy efficiency and environmental quality of buildings and cities carefully considering technical, social, economic implications.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Climate Adaptive Building solutions.
  • Mitigation and adaptation actions at urban scale.
  • NBS and the water management in the built environment.
  • Water scarcity and its impact in the building sector.
  • Carbon neutral transition.
  • Energy efficiency and energy poverty.
  • Predictive and/or operative frameworks for climate-resilient cities.
  • User-centered design approaches to improve built environment livability.
  • Case study discussions, as well as simulation or theoretical research, are encouraged.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Jacopo Gaspari
Dr. Lia Marchi
Dr. Laura Aelenei
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. 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

  • climate responsive design
  • energy efficiency
  • energy poverty
  • climate change, adaptation, mitigation
  • optimized design
  • sustainability
  • sustainable buildings
  • resilient cities
  • NBS

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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

22 pages, 3972 KiB  
Article
Revitalizing Japan’s Vacant Houses: A Sustainable Approach Through Adaptive Reuse
by Romi Bramantyo Margono, Atina Ahdika, Sulistiyowati, Siswanti Zuraida and Bart Dewancker
Sustainability 2025, 17(4), 1704; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17041704 - 18 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1605
Abstract
Adaptive reuse of vacant houses in Japan offers an innovative and sustainable solution to the increase in vacant houses. This approach aligns with principles of sustainable architecture and the circular economy by reducing waste, lowering energy consumption, and extending the lifecycle of existing [...] Read more.
Adaptive reuse of vacant houses in Japan offers an innovative and sustainable solution to the increase in vacant houses. This approach aligns with principles of sustainable architecture and the circular economy by reducing waste, lowering energy consumption, and extending the lifecycle of existing structures. This study uses purposive sampling, analyzing 262 adaptive reuse cases across Japanese prefectures through partial surveys, municipal records, and online maps. K-prototype clustering identified three distinct patterns. Cluster 1 emphasizes modern businesses, such as food, beverage, and accommodation services, within urban areas to address the needs of densely populated regions and tourist hubs. Cluster 2 blends urban and rural contexts, balancing historical preservation with modern functionality. Cluster 3 highlights rural and scenic accommodations that cater to tourists seeking cultural immersion and authentic experiences, despite challenges like low population density and limited accessibility. These findings contribute to the theoretical understanding of adaptive reuse as a key strategy for repurposing underutilized spaces, promoting both economic and social resilience. In practical terms, it demonstrates how adaptive reuse advances circular economy objectives by preserving cultural heritage, enhancing environmental sustainability, and creating economic opportunities. Further investigation is needed to unlock the unexplored potential of adaptive reuse in broader contexts and functions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimization and Evaluation of Climate Responsive Design Solutions for Buildings and Cities: 2nd Edition)
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34 pages, 9166 KiB  
Article
Enhancing Daylight Comfort with Climate-Responsive Kinetic Shading: A Simulation and Experimental Study of a Horizontal Fin System
by Marcin Brzezicki
Sustainability 2024, 16(18), 8156; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16188156 - 19 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2274
Abstract
This study employs both simulation and experimental methodologies to evaluate the effectiveness of bi-sectional horizontal kinetic shading systems (KSS) with horizontal fins in enhancing daylight comfort across various climates. It emphasizes the importance of optimizing daylight levels while minimizing solar heat gain, particularly [...] Read more.
This study employs both simulation and experimental methodologies to evaluate the effectiveness of bi-sectional horizontal kinetic shading systems (KSS) with horizontal fins in enhancing daylight comfort across various climates. It emphasizes the importance of optimizing daylight levels while minimizing solar heat gain, particularly in the context of increasing energy demands and shifting climatic patterns. The study introduces a custom-designed bi-sectional KSS, simulated in three distinct climates—Wroclaw, Tehran, and Bangkok—using climate-based daylight modeling methods with the Ladybug and Honeybee tools in Rhino v.7 software. Standard daylight metrics, such as Useful Daylight Illuminance (UDI) and Daylight Glare Probability (DGP), were employed alongside custom metrics tailored to capture the unique dynamics of the bi-sectional KSS. The results were statistically analyzed using box plots and histograms, revealing UDI300–3000 medians of 78.51%, 88.96%, and 86.22% for Wroclaw, Tehran, and Bangkok, respectively. These findings demonstrate the KSS’s effectiveness in providing optimal daylight conditions across diverse climatic regions. Annual simulations based on standardized weather data showed that the KSS improved visual comfort by 61.04%, 148.60%, and 88.55%, respectively, compared to a scenario without any shading, and by 31.96%, 54.69%, and 37.05%, respectively, compared to a scenario with open static horizontal fins. The inclusion of KSS switching schedules, often overlooked in similar research, enhances the reproducibility and clarity of the findings. A physical reduced-scale mock-up of the bi-sectional KSS was then tested under real-weather conditions in Wroclaw (latitude 51° N) during June–July 2024. The mock-up consisted of two Chambers ‘1’ and ‘2’ equipped with the bi-sectional KSS prototype, and the other one without shading. Stepper motors managed the fins’ operation via a Python script on a Raspberry Pi 3 minicomputer. The control Chamber ‘1’ provided a baseline for comparing the KSS’s efficiency. Experimental results supported the simulations, demonstrating the KSS’s robustness in reducing high illuminance levels, with illuminance below 3000 lx maintained for 68% of the time during the experiment (conducted from 1 to 4 PM on three analysis days). While UDI and DA calculations were not feasible due to the limited number of sensors, the Eh1 values enabled the evaluation of the time illuminance to remain below the threshold. However, during the June–July 2024 heat waves, illuminance levels briefly exceeded the comfort threshold, reaching 4674 lx. Quantitative and qualitative analyses advocate for the broader application and further development of KSS as a climate-responsive shading system in various architectural contexts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimization and Evaluation of Climate Responsive Design Solutions for Buildings and Cities: 2nd Edition)
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20 pages, 4838 KiB  
Article
Advancing the Decarbonization of the Construction Sector: Lifecycle Quality and Performance Assurance of Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings
by Emanuele Piaia, Beatrice Turillazzi, Roberto Di Giulio and Rizal Sebastian
Sustainability 2024, 16(9), 3687; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16093687 - 28 Apr 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2468
Abstract
Dealing with and maintaining high-quality standards in the design and construction phases is challenging, especially for on-site construction. Issues like improper implementation of building components and poor communication can widen the gap between design specifications and actual conditions. To prevent this, particularly for [...] Read more.
Dealing with and maintaining high-quality standards in the design and construction phases is challenging, especially for on-site construction. Issues like improper implementation of building components and poor communication can widen the gap between design specifications and actual conditions. To prevent this, particularly for energy-efficient buildings, it is vital to develop resilient, sustainable strategies. These should optimize resource use, minimize environmental impact, and enhance livability, contributing to carbon neutrality by 2050 and climate change mitigation. Traditional post-occupancy evaluations, which identify defects after construction, are impractical for addressing energy performance gaps. A new, real-time inspection approach is necessary throughout the construction process. This paper suggests an innovative guideline for prefabricated buildings, emphasizing digital ‘self-instruction’ and ‘self-inspection’. These procedures ensure activities impacting quality adhere to specific instructions, drawings, and 3D models, incorporating the relevant acceptance criteria to verify completion. This methodology, promoting alignment with planned energy-efficient features, is supported by BIM-based software and Augmented Reality (AR) tools, embodying Industry 4.0 principles. BIM (Building Information Modeling) and AR bridge the gap between virtual design and actual construction, improving stakeholder communication and enabling real-time monitoring and adjustments. This integration fosters accuracy and efficiency, which are key for energy-efficient and nearly zero-energy buildings, marking a shift towards a more precise, collaborative, and environmentally sensible construction industry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimization and Evaluation of Climate Responsive Design Solutions for Buildings and Cities: 2nd Edition)
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28 pages, 8235 KiB  
Article
Evaluating the Influence of Urban Blocks on Air Pollution Concentration Levels: The Case Study of Golden Lane Estate in London
by Mehrdad Borna, Giulia Turci, Marco Marchetti and Rosa Schiano-Phan
Sustainability 2024, 16(2), 696; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16020696 - 12 Jan 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1934
Abstract
Numerous studies have examined the impact of urban form on microclimate and thermal comfort at street level. However, the relationship between air pollution concentration and urban form, particularly vegetation and building arrangement, is less considered among planners and designers, and not many case [...] Read more.
Numerous studies have examined the impact of urban form on microclimate and thermal comfort at street level. However, the relationship between air pollution concentration and urban form, particularly vegetation and building arrangement, is less considered among planners and designers, and not many case study examples are available in the literature. To address this gap, this paper provides additional evidence and a case study example, illustrating the impact of the built environment on air pollution in urban areas. The Golden Lane Estate, a residential development that has valuable and repeatable urban design and architectural features and is located near a highly congested and polluted area in central London, was selected as the study site. The analysis involved a combination of fieldwork spot measurements and computational modelling (ENVI-met), considering physical features of urban blocks, levels of air pollution, and meteorological parameters (using data from local meteorological stations). The site modelling simulated current conditions and a condition without vegetation to better understand the impact of vegetation on pollutant concentration. The results indicate that urban form and vegetation arrangements significantly affect wind speed and direction, exacerbating air pollution within street canyons of varying aspect ratios. Such findings contribute to the expanding field of hyperlocal scale measurement and underscore the need for guidelines regarding the optimal placement, scale, type, and distribution of vegetation within street canyons. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimization and Evaluation of Climate Responsive Design Solutions for Buildings and Cities: 2nd Edition)
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