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Advances and Applications in Sustainable Built Environments: Energy Systems, Technologies and Building Design

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (26 September 2025) | Viewed by 820

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Departamento de Construcciones Arquitectónicas I, Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
Interests: resilience; sustainability; circular economy; climate change; building; built environments; passive measures; evaluation tools; energy; sustainable development
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Guest Editor
Departamento de Arte y Arquitectura, Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura de Málaga, Malaga, Spain
Interests: resilience; sustainability; indoor environment; climate change; building; built environments; passive measures; rehabilitation of heritage; energy; sustainable development
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Departamento de Urbanística, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería de Caminos, Canales y Puertos, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
Interests: sustainable urban strategies; urban heat island effect (UHI); life cycle analysis (LCA); level(s); New European Bauhaus; environmental citizenship; urban heat mitigation; sustainable urban design; urban resilience; community participation

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Guest Editor
Architecture and Building Technology, Polytechnic University of Cartagena, Cartagena, Spain
Interests: urbanism in the ecosocial transition; architectural and urban regeneration; nature-based solutions; urban energy efficiency
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As sustainability becomes a global imperative, urbanism plays a central role in addressing the challenges of climate change and energy efficiency. In this context, the creation of sustainable urban environments has become a priority, requiring the integration of sustainable energy systems, innovative technologies, and resilient urban designs. These approaches aim not only to mitigate environmental impacts but also to enhance the quality of life for city dwellers, making urban spaces healthier and more efficient.

The design of urban environments that prioritize indoor air quality, access to natural light, and occupant well-being is increasingly recognized as a key trend. This type of urbanism is supported by initiatives such as the New European Bauhaus and Level(s), which establish high-performance standards in terms of both energy efficiency and the promotion of a healthier, more accessible lifestyle.

As cities continue to grow and evolve, green urbanism and sustainable mobility are emerging as critical elements in creating cities that are not only resilient to climate change but that are also more inclusive and livable. The adoption of green infrastructure, the promotion of active mobility (walking and cycling), and the development of sustainable transportation systems are essential steps toward building future cities where quality of life and sustainability become a reality for all.

In this context of transformation, we invite researchers, professionals, and urbanism experts to share their perspectives on emerging trends, challenges, and future opportunities in sustainable urban practices. We welcome a wide range of contributions, including, but not limited to, the following:

  • Innovative strategies for integrating sustainable energy systems into urban environments.
  • Sustainable materials and technologies applied to urbanism and building design.
  • Design approaches for urban spaces that prioritize the health, well-being, and quality of life of inhabitants.
  • Policies and regulations that foster the development of sustainable and resilient cities.
  • Solutions to promote sustainable mobility and green urbanism in expanding urban environments.

We are confident that this Special Issue will contribute to creating a platform for the exchange of ideas and solutions, driving the ongoing advancement of sustainable urbanism and ecological mobility in the creation of more resilient, inclusive, and healthy cities.

We look forward to your valuable contributions and are certain that this Special Issue will foster fruitful discussions and provide innovative solutions for the future of our cities.

Dr. Carmen Diaz López
Dr. Carmen Maria Muñoz-González
Dr. Juan Jesús Bayo
Dr. Rubén Mora-Esteban
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

  • sustainability
  • urbanism
  • climate change
  • energy efficiency
  • resilient urban designs
  • indoor air quality
  • green infrastructure
  • sustainable mobility
  • well-being

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 617 KB  
Article
An Examination of EIA Frameworks in Laos and China: Distinct Enforcement Strategies and Issues in Public Engagement
by Manchang Wu, Ounmixay Vixay, Sunil Kumar Saroha and Home Ngern Vanhsai
Sustainability 2025, 17(24), 11056; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172411056 - 10 Dec 2025
Abstract
This research conducts a comparative analysis of the Environmental Impact Assessment’s (EIA’s) legal frameworks in Laos and China, utilising a qualitative methodological approach rooted in comparative law. This research systematically examines primary legal documents, case studies from the hydropower and mining sectors, and [...] Read more.
This research conducts a comparative analysis of the Environmental Impact Assessment’s (EIA’s) legal frameworks in Laos and China, utilising a qualitative methodological approach rooted in comparative law. This research systematically examines primary legal documents, case studies from the hydropower and mining sectors, and recent government data to evaluate the two systems based on three core criteria: the robustness of the legal structure, the effectiveness of enforcement mechanisms, and the depth of public participation. The analysis indicates that although both countries require Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), China’s framework is more structured and efficient, as demonstrated by its clearer legal hierarchy, strict penalties for non-compliance, and established public disclosure procedures. In contrast, Laos’s framework, although established, is marked by its early stage of development, evident in fragmented legislation, limited enforcement due to capacity constraints, and reduced public engagement. The study contributes by providing a direct bilateral comparison and empirically demonstrating how institutional divergences account for disparities in environmental outcomes and foreign investment. Recommendations are provided to improve transparency, enforcement capabilities, and substantive public engagement in both nations. This research is based on comparative legal theory and institutional analysis to transcend a mere descriptive narrative. It utilises a qualitative comparative methodology that combines doctrinal research of legal texts with practical case studies from the hydropower and mining industries. This method enables us to systematically investigate how differing institutional capacity, enforcement mechanisms, and governance models between an emerging and a developed system account for variations in EIA outcomes. The study questions are formulated to evaluate theoretical claims regarding the influence of legal frameworks and administrative authority on the attainment of good environmental governance, providing a transferable analytical model for analogous developing environments. Full article
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31 pages, 13589 KB  
Article
A Sustainable Design Optimization of Atrium Spaces in Commercial Complexes for Enhanced Photothermal Comfort and Energy Efficiency in Severe Cold Regions
by Hao Xu, Tao Fan, Meng Wang and Bing Li
Sustainability 2025, 17(23), 10818; https://doi.org/10.3390/su172310818 - 2 Dec 2025
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Abstract
The construction sector’s significant energy consumption poses a substantial challenge to achieving global “Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutrality” goals. This study addresses this challenge by proposing a sustainable design framework to optimize atrium spaces in commercial complexes within severe cold regions, where the [...] Read more.
The construction sector’s significant energy consumption poses a substantial challenge to achieving global “Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutrality” goals. This study addresses this challenge by proposing a sustainable design framework to optimize atrium spaces in commercial complexes within severe cold regions, where the conflict between high heating energy demands and the pursuit of high-quality spatial experiences is acute. Our climate-adaptive method integrates parametric modeling (Grasshopper) with building performance simulation (Ladybug Tools and Honeybee) to form a multi-objective optimization process using the NSGA-II algorithm. The goal is to simultaneously minimize operational energy (by reducing the seasonal solar heat gain difference, D-RAD) and enhance occupant well-being (by improving useful daylight illuminance, SUMUDI, and thermal discomfort, SUMPPD). Results demonstrate that our framework generated design solutions that significantly improve environmental performance compared to a baseline model: aggregate useful daylight illuminance (SUMUDI) increased by 90.2%, the solar heat gain difference (D-RAD) was reduced by 40.8%, and thermal discomfort (SUMPPD) decreased by 22.7%. This research provides a quantifiable and replicable methodology for sustainable architectural design, contributing directly to the measurement and monitoring of sustainability in the built environment by balancing energy conservation with human-centric design. Full article
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