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Sustainability
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Enhancing Sustainable Construction Design and Project Execution Using Information Technology
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Enhancing Sustainable Construction Design and Project Execution Using Information Technology

A Special Issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050) belonging to the section "Green Building".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (2 August 2026) | Viewed by 12732

Editors

Prof. Dr. Payam Rahnamayiezekavat

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Engineering, Design and Built Environment, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
Interests: construction compliance; construction work health and safety management; BIM
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Qinjun (Lavender) Liu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Built Environment and Design, Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
Interests: construction management; occupational health and safety; human-robot collaboration; wearable sensors
Dr. Songbo Hu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Engineering, Design and Built Environment, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
Interests: construction technology; construction productivity; sustainability; building information modelling (BIM); digital twin; knowledge graph; construction machinery safety management

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The construction industry has a pressing need to achieve sustainability throughout design and project execution. This Special Issue of Sustainability explores the transformative potential of Information Technology (IT) in addressing this challenge, aligning with the United Nations’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

We are pleased to invite you to submit your research for publication in this Special Issue titled ‘Enhancing Sustainable Construction Design and Project Execution Using Information Technology’.

Aim and Scope:

This Special Issue aims to contribute to the knowledge on sustainable design and construction practices. By focusing on IT’s role within construction design and project execution, we aim to complete the following tasks:

  • Highlight the emerging trend of IT-driven sustainable design and construction;
  • Bridge the gap between academia and industry by showcasing practical applications and research advancements;
  • Assess the benefits of integrating Industry 4.0 technologies, including cyber–physical systems, machine learning (ML), Internet of Things (IoTs), big data analytics, and robotics and autonomous systems, on the sustainability of construction projects;
  • Identify recent advancements and achievements in IT-enabled sustainable construction methods.

Themes and Article Types:

We welcome original research articles and reviews that explore various aspects of IT-driven sustainable design and construction, including (but not limited to) the following areas:

  • Building information modelling (BIM) for sustainability and compliance assessment and optimization;
  • Digital tools for life cycle analysis (LCA) and embodied carbon reduction;
  • Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) for resource management and waste minimization;
  • Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) for design collaboration and energy efficiency;
  • Digital twin (DT), cloud-based platforms, and edge computing for real-time data collection and project monitoring.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Payam Rahnamayiezekavat
Dr. Qinjun (Lavender) Liu
Dr. Songbo Hu
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. 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

  • sustainability
  • information technology
  • construction design
  • project execution
  • industry 4.0
  • building information modelling (BIM)
  • life cycle analysis (LCA)
  • machine learning (ML)
  • digital twin (DT)

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

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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23 pages, 740 KB  
Article
When Energy Data Becomes Institutional Reality: Blockchain-Secured Digital Twins, Certification, and Accountability in Sustainable Urban Infrastructure
by Javad Vasheghani Farahani and Tan Gürpinar
Sustainability 2026, 18(17), 9039; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18179039 - 3 Sep 2026
Viewed by 129
Abstract
Sustainable urban infrastructure increasingly relies on blockchain-secured energy digital twins to improve energy-data verification, transparency, traceability, and trust across construction, operation, certification, and compliance. Yet the prevailing literature still treats these systems primarily as descriptive mirrors of physical infrastructure, emphasizing their ability to [...] Read more.
Sustainable urban infrastructure increasingly relies on blockchain-secured energy digital twins to improve energy-data verification, transparency, traceability, and trust across construction, operation, certification, and compliance. Yet the prevailing literature still treats these systems primarily as descriptive mirrors of physical infrastructure, emphasizing their ability to capture, verify, and protect data on energy production, consumption, storage, and exchange. Verified records can underpin institutional outcomes such as certification and compliance—but this framing ignores a deeper change: blockchain-secured digital twins may help automate the constitution of those outcomes, rather than only representing infrastructure performance. This conceptual study develops the Automated Constitution Model (ACM), which explains the conditions under which blockchain-secured energy digital-twin records transition from epistemic verification to institutionally recognized outcomes and how accountability is redistributed across the socio-technical actors involved in that transition. The model defines seven interconnected layers: physical infrastructure, measurement, digital representation, cryptographic attestation, rule interpretation and execution, institutional outcome, and legitimacy/accountability. Lower layers are epistemic—they measure, represent, and validate physical energy events. The shift occurs when encoded rule systems, such as smart contracts, certification logic, compliance frameworks, and market-governance protocols, interpret cryptographically attested records to generate recognized institutional outputs such as renewable energy certificates, settlement claims, compliance statuses, payment rights, and ownership records, rendering the higher layers ontological and normative. This study contributes to blockchain governance, digital twins, and sustainable infrastructure research by theorizing blockchain-secured digital twins as systems of automated institutional constitution rather than mere information-integrity tools. It also surfaces a growing accountability gap: as institutional outcomes increasingly rely on encoded rules, platform designers, data modelers, authors of smart contracts, certifiers, and regulators may share accountability with physical actors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Enhancing Sustainable Construction Design and Project Execution Using Information Technology)
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38 pages, 15178 KB  
Article
Digital Technologies for Sustainability-Oriented Decision-Making: Integrating BIM and Computational Programming for Building Envelope Selection
by Giuliana Parisi, Emanuele Testa and Rosa Caponetto
Sustainability 2026, 18(16), 8608; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18168608 - 21 Aug 2026
Viewed by 348
Abstract
The growing environmental impact of the construction sector is driving a shift toward sustainable design practices, in which digital technologies are integrated to enable designers to make informed decisions from the early design stages. In this study, a DSS is developed that combines [...] Read more.
The growing environmental impact of the construction sector is driving a shift toward sustainable design practices, in which digital technologies are integrated to enable designers to make informed decisions from the early design stages. In this study, a DSS is developed that combines BIM, VPL and TPL to identify the optimal wall stratigraphy for the building envelope. The process is structured into sequential phases, in which Autodesk Revit v2026.06.24.01, Dynamo v.3.6.1 and Python v3.9 are integrated within an end-to-end workflow. In the first phase, wall stratigraphies are modelled in BIM, and parametric variations in layers are allowed alongside customisation of the material database. In the second phase, an automated workflow calculates a set of indicators covering thermal performance, environmental assessments (LCA, MRc2 LEED and mandatory national requirements), and economic evaluations (LCC). In the third phase, indicators are imported into an automated Dynamo-based MCDM, where a hybrid AHP/PROMETHEE analysis is applied and results are directly integrated into BIM, thereby supporting sustainability-focused decisions. The tool is validated on different sustainable wall stratigraphies in warm-climate contexts. The hybrid solution is ranked first, followed by rammed earth, while platform frame and X-LAM are ranked lower. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Enhancing Sustainable Construction Design and Project Execution Using Information Technology)
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37 pages, 4198 KB  
Article
A BIM-Based Framework for Life Cycle, Cost, and Circularity Data Integration in Environmental Impact Assessment
by Sophia Silvia Pibal, Rene Bittner and Iva Kovacic
Sustainability 2025, 17(6), 2656; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17062656 - 17 Mar 2025
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 6122
Abstract
The AEC’s resource consumption and environmental impact necessitate a shift towards sustainable, circular practices. Building information modeling, powered by information technology, serves as a key enabler in this transition, offering life cycle data management capabilities from design to deconstruction. However, current BIM models [...] Read more.
The AEC’s resource consumption and environmental impact necessitate a shift towards sustainable, circular practices. Building information modeling, powered by information technology, serves as a key enabler in this transition, offering life cycle data management capabilities from design to deconstruction. However, current BIM models lack embedded life cycle and circularity data, limiting their effectiveness for sustainability integration. This study addresses this gap by proposing a BIM object library framework that embeds life cycle, cost, and circularity data into objects and aims at enabling informed, sustainability-driven decision making. Through a proof of concept, this research demonstrates how embedding LCA and CE metrics into BIM objects enhances environmental and circular impact assessments. The framework aligns with standards such as ISO 14040 and EN 15804, EU Level(s), and United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Limitations such as manual data integration and the need for specialized expertise occurred. However, this framework provides a scalable foundation for future research, including automating data integration, enhancing metric calculations, and developing interactive circularity dashboards to improve as a decision-support tool. This study advances circular BIM adoption, integrating sustainability principles into digital design workflows from the object level, while serving as a centralized repository for sustainability-driven decision making. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Enhancing Sustainable Construction Design and Project Execution Using Information Technology)
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Review

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42 pages, 899 KB  
Review
Bridging the Semantic Gap: A Review of Data Interoperability Challenges and Advanced Methodologies from BIM to LCA
by Yilong Jia, Peng Zhang and Qinjun Liu
Sustainability 2026, 18(7), 3352; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18073352 - 30 Mar 2026
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2118
Abstract
Building Information Modelling (BIM) offers a pivotal opportunity to automate Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. However, seamless integration is persistently hindered by a semantic gap, a critical misalignment between the object-oriented, geometric definitions of BIM and [...] Read more.
Building Information Modelling (BIM) offers a pivotal opportunity to automate Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. However, seamless integration is persistently hindered by a semantic gap, a critical misalignment between the object-oriented, geometric definitions of BIM and the process-based material data required by Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) databases. This paper presents a comprehensive review of data interoperability challenges and evaluates advanced methodologies designed to bridge this divide, moving beyond simple tool comparison to analyse structural integration barriers. Through a systematic review of 124 primary studies published between 2010 and 2025, this research inductively derives the BIM-LCA Interoperability Triad. This framework analyses causal dependencies across three dimensions, including Semantic and Ontological Structures, Workflow and Temporal Integration, and System Architecture and Interoperability. Furthermore, by establishing a comparative challenge–solution matrix, the analysis reveals a maturity paradox in current methodologies. While semi-automated commercial plugins dominate practice due to accessibility, they frequently function as opaque black boxes with limited transparency. Conversely, advanced approaches utilising Semantic Web technologies and Machine Learning demonstrate superior capability in resolving terminological mismatches but currently face significant barriers regarding infrastructure and expertise. This study contributes a novel theoretical model for understanding integration failures. It concludes that future research must pivot from static schema mapping towards AI-driven semantic healing, dynamic Digital Twins, and explicit system boundary harmonisation to achieve truly automated, context-aware environmental assessments and support whole-life circularity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Enhancing Sustainable Construction Design and Project Execution Using Information Technology)
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Other

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54 pages, 6499 KB  
Systematic Review
AI and BIM Integration for Enhanced Construction Management Performance: A Systematic Review
by Serena Vitaliano, Stefano Cascone and Claudia Arcidiacono
Sustainability 2026, 18(16), 8529; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18168529 - 19 Aug 2026
Viewed by 377
Abstract
The increasing complexity of construction projects has made traditional planning methods inadequate for managing dynamic variables. In this context, the integration of building information modelling (BIM) and artificial intelligence (AI) has been increasingly investigated as a promising approach to improve estimation accuracy, decision-making, [...] Read more.
The increasing complexity of construction projects has made traditional planning methods inadequate for managing dynamic variables. In this context, the integration of building information modelling (BIM) and artificial intelligence (AI) has been increasingly investigated as a promising approach to improve estimation accuracy, decision-making, and sustainable project execution. This systematic literature review, conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines, analysed 47 articles on BIM-AI integration for construction cost and time planning, categorising them into three clusters: time-oriented, cost-oriented, and multi-objective planning. The reviewed studies indicate that BIM-AI workflows may improve planning efficiency, estimation accuracy, and resource allocation. A limited subset of studies directly incorporated energy consumption, carbon emissions, or lifecycle performance into the optimisation objectives. By contrast, broader benefits related to material waste, rework, equipment idle time, and safety were mainly inferred from improvements in scheduling and resource management rather than directly quantified across the reviewed studies. Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) and Genetic Algorithms (GAs) emerged as the most frequently adopted and consistently reported techniques, while Revit was the most adopted BIM platform. Despite its potential, BIM-AI integration still faces challenges related to software interoperability, data quality, interdisciplinary coordination, and the limited integration of explicit sustainability indicators within optimisation models. Future research should focus on developing standardised and adaptable frameworks that jointly address cost, time, resource efficiency, environmental impact, and lifecycle performance across different construction contexts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Enhancing Sustainable Construction Design and Project Execution Using Information Technology)
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26 pages, 1425 KB  
Systematic Review
A Systematic Literature Review of Internet of Things (IoT) Applications in Sustainable Construction Project Management
by Ali Tighnavard Balasbaneh and Willy Sher
Sustainability 2026, 18(5), 2614; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18052614 - 7 Mar 2026
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2112
Abstract
The construction industry is under mounting pressure to enhance its sustainability performance. Increasing project complexity and risk require real-time data collection, monitoring, and assistance in decision making via the Internet of Things (IoT). IoT has emerged as a critical enabling technology to overcome [...] Read more.
The construction industry is under mounting pressure to enhance its sustainability performance. Increasing project complexity and risk require real-time data collection, monitoring, and assistance in decision making via the Internet of Things (IoT). IoT has emerged as a critical enabling technology to overcome these hurdles. This study provides a bibliometric and thematic overview of IoT applications in sustainable construction project management to identify research trends, key themes, and practical implications for project managers. We used a structured screening process to analyze peer-reviewed journal papers, conference articles, and book chapters listed in the Scopus database. We identified 77 publications published between 2019 and 2025. Using VOSviewer_1.6.20_exe, we analyzed publication trends, source influences, geographical dispersion, and keyword co-occurrence patterns. Since 2023, research output and citation impact have increased dramatically, with sustainability, project management, and IoT serving as the main conceptual foundations recorded. Real-time monitoring, wireless sensor networks, safety improvement, BIM and digital twin integration, and resource and energy optimization are the five main application domains recognized using thematic synthesis. This shows a marked transition from standalone sensing applications to integrated, intelligent, and predictive systems that enable data-driven decision making throughout the construction lifecycle. This review highlights the ongoing difficulties associated with data quality, sensor dependability, system interoperability, and energy limitations. IoT is progressing from a support technology to a core operational and managerial infrastructure for sustainable construction, with major consequences for project management and future research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Enhancing Sustainable Construction Design and Project Execution Using Information Technology)
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