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Innovative Approaches to Increase the Sustainability of the Built Environment
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Innovative Approaches to Increase the Sustainability of the Built Environment

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (27 March 2024) | Viewed by 16622

Special Issue Editors

Dr. João Almeida

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Itecons–Institute for Research and Technological Development for Construction, Energy, Environment and Sustainability, 3030-289 Coimbra, Portugal
Interests: eco-friendly building materials; sustainable construction; life cycle assessment; environmental chemistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Julieta António

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
Interests: building acoustics; sustainable building materials; materials characterization; numerical simulation of wave propagation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Andreia Cortês

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute for Research and Technological Development for Construction, Energy, Environment and Sustainability, University of Coimbra, CERIS, 3030-289 Coimbra, Portugal
Interests: green roofs and walls; environmental performance; eco-design; sustainable construction materials
Dr. João Vieira

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute for Research and Technological Development for Construction, Energy, Environment and Sustainability, University of Coimbra, CERIS, 3030-289 Coimbra, Portugal
Interests: water resources management; sustainable water supply and drainage systems; environmental impact assessment

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is related to the second International Conference on Construction, Energy, Environment and Sustainability (CEES 2023) organized by Itecons, University of Coimbra (Portugal), in collaboration with CONST-NRC (Canada), that will take place in Funchal (Madeira Island), Portugal, from 27 to 30 June 2023.

Globally, as we face resource scarcity, climate change and increased urbanization, there is a pressing need to develop more sustainable construction practices and a more sustainable built environment. Increased population and urbanization have undoubtedly led to negative effects on the environment and contributed greatly to climate change. From resourcing and construction to the use of infrastructure and disposal of waste, the built environment is responsible for significant biophysical, economic, and social impacts. In this context, environmental engineering and management activities are crucial for assessing and minimizing these impacts, as well as for enabling climate change adaptation. Along with the protection of the environment, economic viability and social equity are commonly referred to as the two other pillars of sustainability. Hence, the social aspects of buildings and urban development must not be neglected when striving towards a more sustainable built environment.

In this Special Issue, we are looking for high-quality original research articles related to the following topics:

  • Resilience and adaptation to climate change
  • Environmental risk management
  • Waste recovery and management
  • Eco-design and circular economy
  • Life cycle assessment of products and buildings
  • Nature-based solutions
  • Green roofs and living facades
  • Adaptive building skins
  • Water efficiency and management
  • Water–energy nexus
  • Sustainable supply and drainage systems
  • Sustainable urban planning
  • Environmental noise
  • Urban metabolism
  • Smart cities

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. João Almeida
Dr. Julieta António
Dr. Andreia Cortês
Dr. João Vieira
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

  • sustainable construction
  • sustainable built environment
  • energy and water efficiency
  • environmental noise
  • circular economy
  • resilience and adaptation to climate changes

Published Papers (15 papers)

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14 pages, 3307 KiB  
Article
Embodied Carbon and the Nuances in Office-to-Residential Conversions
by Emmanuel Kofi Gavu and Richard B. Peiser
Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 2711; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072711 - 26 Mar 2024
Viewed by 628
Abstract
Reducing carbon emissions associated with buildings is a top priority for mitigating the human impacts from climate change. Reducing carbon emissions resulting from the manufacturing, designing, constructing, investing, owning, operating, occupying, renovating, and demolishing of buildings is essential to safeguard the environment from [...] Read more.
Reducing carbon emissions associated with buildings is a top priority for mitigating the human impacts from climate change. Reducing carbon emissions resulting from the manufacturing, designing, constructing, investing, owning, operating, occupying, renovating, and demolishing of buildings is essential to safeguard the environment from negative consequences. This paper relates to the environment and human influence on the climate and addresses the different amounts of embedded carbon for building activities ranging from new buildings to major renovations to minor renovations, using a methodology termed the “whole-life carbon measurement”. The data from the case studies indicate that refurbished or renovated buildings exhibit the least carbon footprint compared to other alternatives. This outcome can be attributed to the sustainable practice of reusing materials, coupled with the positive effects of retrofitting. The expectation that refurbished buildings would demonstrate a lower carbon footprint aligns with the principles of sustainability, emphasizing the environmental benefits of repurposing existing structures. While embedded carbon is currently not priced, it is important that it be accurately measured over the entire life cycle of buildings if the real estate industry is to meet sustainability goals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Approaches to Increase the Sustainability of the Built Environment)
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34 pages, 12426 KiB  
Article
Residential Rooftop Urban Agriculture: Architectural Design Recommendations
by Ehsan Daneshyar
Sustainability 2024, 16(5), 1881; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16051881 - 25 Feb 2024
Viewed by 1344
Abstract
It is evident that, due to population growth, future urbanization and urban growth are inevitable. It is estimated that the food supply demand of future urban centers will grow, which will place an additional burden on the agriculture sector to produce more food. [...] Read more.
It is evident that, due to population growth, future urbanization and urban growth are inevitable. It is estimated that the food supply demand of future urban centers will grow, which will place an additional burden on the agriculture sector to produce more food. It is projected that securing the food supply chain for future urban centers will be a challenge. Urban agriculture can be regarded as a remedy for possible future challenges that the global food system will face. It might be able to reduce the future burden on the agriculture sector. This research proposes that urban rooftop agriculture, as a subset of urban agriculture, can produce local fresh food in dense urban environments. The principal aim of this research is to suggest a series of design recommendations for architects interested in designing residential buildings capable of rooftop food production. This research attempts to highlight the specific design recommendations and the principal limitations regarding designing residential rooftop farms. To extract the data for developing the proposed design recommendations and limitations, a review of the literature within the fields of urban agriculture, building-integrated agriculture, and horticulture was conducted. Based on the literature review results, this research suggests that the following three types of farming methods can be developed on residential rooftops: (1) open-air rooftop food production, (2) “low-tech” rooftop greenhouses, and (3) “high-tech” rooftop greenhouses. In addition, factors that can be considered principal limitations are suggested. In sum, this research proposes that current and future residential buildings can be designed so that their rooftops are utilized as farms. In this way, such buildings can contribute to delivering local fresh food to current and future metropolitan dwellers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Approaches to Increase the Sustainability of the Built Environment)
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22 pages, 12097 KiB  
Article
Architectural Heritage and Archetypal Landscape Approaches Facing Environmental Hazards
by Maria Bostenaru Dan, Adrian Ibric, Mara Popescu and Cerasella Crăciun
Sustainability 2024, 16(4), 1505; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16041505 - 9 Feb 2024
Viewed by 1009
Abstract
The research question in this paper concerns elements of nature, such as earth, water, fire, and air, as they have a dual meaning, indicating both hazard and heritage. The relationship of cities with blue–green infrastructure is an example of this. Cities might be [...] Read more.
The research question in this paper concerns elements of nature, such as earth, water, fire, and air, as they have a dual meaning, indicating both hazard and heritage. The relationship of cities with blue–green infrastructure is an example of this. Cities might be surrounded by either water or forest, though the latter has been less investigated as a nature-based solution for climate change adaptation. The connection between water and architecture can also be seen in the seafront type of architectural design, in the architecture of harbours, port facilities, aquariums or thermal baths. This paper aims to present a comprehensive analysis of all of these various architecture programs that were carried out during the first half of the twentieth century. Although the styles of Art Nouveau and Interwar were widely spread, otherness in regional geographical locations drew lessons from the vernacular architecture. Inspiration was drawn mainly from southern Europe in the Cycladic islands for the interwar/international style and towards the east and centre of the continent in Romania and Hungary and up to the north in the Baltic states for the national romantic art nouveau style. A local seismic culture is prevalent in areas that are affected by earthquakes. In the context of the geological conditions related to water and earthquake hazard, the anthropic reshaping of rivers and canals (and alluvial soil deposits) generates liquefaction vulnerability. Significant also is the way in which the urban wildland interface shapes the relationship between wild green space and cities. Urban protected nature parks and urban forests contribute to wellbeing but are also vulnerable to wildfire. This research attempts to find equivalents to the local seismic culture in cases of climate change-induced hazards, such as floods and wildfires, in Romania, Italy and Portugal. As part of the project presented for the case study featured in this paper, significant documentation was achieved through literature reviews and field trips. For the latter, walkscape methodology was used, which was also useful for the first round of results and the mapping required to indicate earthquake hazards near water locations in Bucharest, Romania. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Approaches to Increase the Sustainability of the Built Environment)
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16 pages, 4572 KiB  
Article
An Evaluation of the Luminous Performance of a School Environment Integrating Artificial Lighting and Daylight
by Débora Thomé Miranda, Douglas Barreto and Inês Flores-Colen
Sustainability 2024, 16(4), 1426; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16041426 - 8 Feb 2024
Viewed by 561
Abstract
The energy performance of buildings has been extensively studied at the Federal University of São Carlos, Brazil in order to achieve energy conservation and reduce environmental impacts. Artificial lighting is one of the systems that consume the most electricity in educational buildings; therefore, [...] Read more.
The energy performance of buildings has been extensively studied at the Federal University of São Carlos, Brazil in order to achieve energy conservation and reduce environmental impacts. Artificial lighting is one of the systems that consume the most electricity in educational buildings; therefore, by adopting measures to improve energy performance, the luminous performance can also be improved. Artificial lighting allows for visual tasks to be accurately and safely carried out by means of lamps of varied temperatures, color rendering index, and luminous performance. Providing adequate lighting in school environments can influence both the health and well-being of school members, contributing positively to productivity. The present study aimed to evaluate the luminous performance of the existing artificial lighting system in a classroom by considering the minimum requirements recommended by the Brazilian standard NBR ISO/CIE 8995-1/2013. Through computer simulations using the DIALux evo program, it was possible to propose actions to improve the existing lighting system in order to offer better visual comfort to users and ensure electricity savings. The artificial lighting system consisted of LED luminaires integrated with daylight and the use of a manual control device, thus generating electricity savings of almost 65% when compared with the existing artificial lighting system in the room. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Approaches to Increase the Sustainability of the Built Environment)
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22 pages, 7156 KiB  
Article
The Bottle House: Upcycling Plastic Bottles to Improve the Thermal Performance of Low-Cost Homes
by Nwakaego C. Onyenokporo, Arash Beizaee, Olutola F. Adekeye and Muyiwa A. Oyinlola
Sustainability 2024, 16(4), 1360; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16041360 - 6 Feb 2024
Viewed by 1078
Abstract
Due to the effects of climate change, diminishing natural resources, and continuous urbanization, there is an increasing need for buildings to be more sustainable. This study explores the potential of upcycling plastic waste for the sustainable construction of low-cost homes in developing countries [...] Read more.
Due to the effects of climate change, diminishing natural resources, and continuous urbanization, there is an increasing need for buildings to be more sustainable. This study explores the potential of upcycling plastic waste for the sustainable construction of low-cost homes in developing countries and contributes to filling the gap in existing studies regarding qualitative results of the in situ performance of buildings made from upcycled materials. This study compares the Bottle house with conventional buildings made of mud and cement. This study seeks to encourage the adoption of the bottle house concept for affordable housing by conducting a thermal comfort survey of its occupants. To obtain the thermal sensation vote (TSV) of the occupants, thermal comfort questionnaires were developed based on the seven-point ASHRAE thermal sensation scale. Additionally, a Testo 480 multifunction meter, which comprised an anemometer, radiant globe thermometer, air thermometer, and relative humidity probe, was used to calculate the predicted mean vote (PMV) concurrently. From the results of the TSV, mean votes of the participants of −2.0, 2.0, and 2.4 were observed for the bottle house, mud houses, and cement houses, respectively. In comparison, adjusted PMV mean values of 1.9, 2.1 and 2.1 were recorded for the bottle house, mud houses, and cement houses, respectively. The TSV and PMV results both indicate that the occupants of the bottle house felt more thermally comfortable when compared to occupants in the other dwellings. This can be attributed to the measures incorporated during the construction of the bottle house. Furthermore, the use of a simulation study helped proffer solutions to further improve the indoor temperatures of the buildings used in this study. The results of this paper will provide evidence of the prospects of upcycling plastic waste for construction and its impact on occupant’s thermal comfort when compared to conventional building materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Approaches to Increase the Sustainability of the Built Environment)
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15 pages, 6095 KiB  
Article
Experimental Study on the Potential Utilization of Olive Oil Production Wastes and By-Products as Building Materials
by Alexandre Jerónimo, Mariana Fernandes and Ana Briga-Sá
Sustainability 2024, 16(4), 1355; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16041355 - 6 Feb 2024
Viewed by 729
Abstract
The construction industry is one of the sectors with the greatest environmental impact resulting from the high consumption of resources and the huge amount of waste generated. In addition, different wastes and by-products originate from various sectors of activity, namely the ones related [...] Read more.
The construction industry is one of the sectors with the greatest environmental impact resulting from the high consumption of resources and the huge amount of waste generated. In addition, different wastes and by-products originate from various sectors of activity, namely the ones related to the agricultural sector, requiring the urgent actions of recycling and reuse. In this context, this investigation focused on the valorization of wastes and by-products resulting from the olive oil production as building material components. Wet bagasse was added to cementitious mixtures at percentages of 5% and 20% to produce solid blocks. Lime mortars, incorporating 2% and 8% of ash, were developed, and particleboards composed of 83% olive stone were also produced. The results showed that blocks with 5% waste complied with the standard requirements for flexural strength. The incorporation of 2% ash increased the mechanical properties of lime mortars when compared to a reference mortar with no ash. The developed particleboards revealed the possibility for being part of a multilayer solution or as a covering material, presenting a thermal conductivity of 0.08 W/mK. Thus, wastes generated during olive oil production presented potential for valorization as building material components for non-structural purposes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Approaches to Increase the Sustainability of the Built Environment)
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15 pages, 4691 KiB  
Article
Sustainable Polyester Composites Containing Waste Glass for Building Applications
by Bernardeta Dębska, Katarzyna Wojtaszek, Marina Altoé Caetano and Guilherme Jorge Brigolini Silva
Sustainability 2024, 16(2), 719; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16020719 - 14 Jan 2024
Viewed by 621
Abstract
The ecological construction of the future aims to reduce the amount of waste and minimize energy consumption related to the production and transport of building materials. One way to stop the destructive effects of the excessive exploitation of natural deposits is to implement [...] Read more.
The ecological construction of the future aims to reduce the amount of waste and minimize energy consumption related to the production and transport of building materials. One way to stop the destructive effects of the excessive exploitation of natural deposits is to implement extensive activities aimed at reusing, preferably multiple times, waste materials. This article describes the results of testing polyester mortars based on the developed experimental plan. It assumed the use of waste glass cullet as a sand replacement in the amount of 0–100% by mass and a variable resin/aggregate ratio in the range of 0.14–0.36. The use of a two-factor central composition plan allowed us to limit the number of research samples and at the same time obtain the necessary scientific information regarding the obtained mortars. Standard tests for flexural and compressive strength and bulk density were performed on rectangular hardened samples. Additionally, the change in the mass of the samples immersed in water was monitored for a period of 165 days. The analysis of the strength test results allows us to conclude that, with appropriately selected proportions of resin-glass waste, composites with a flexural strength of 30 MPa and a compressive strength of 91.4 MPa can be obtained. Including waste in a mortar allows elements with low water absorption to be obtained. At the same time, their production is about 2.5 times cheaper than their epoxy counterparts. The test results were compared with those obtained for epoxy-based mortars and with reference to the requirements set by the manufacturers of prefabricated polymer concrete elements intended for construction applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Approaches to Increase the Sustainability of the Built Environment)
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12 pages, 1872 KiB  
Article
The Feasibility of Rainwater Harvesting Systems in Buildings with Green Roofs: A Case Study Based on the Köppen Climate Classification
by Carla Pimentel-Rodrigues and Armando Silva-Afonso
Sustainability 2023, 15(24), 16859; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152416859 - 14 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 991
Abstract
The construction of green roofs (GR) combined with rainwater harvesting systems (RWHSs) in buildings can increase the advantages of each of these technologies, being a very promising solution to combat climate change and increase the sustainability of cities. However, the viability of this [...] Read more.
The construction of green roofs (GR) combined with rainwater harvesting systems (RWHSs) in buildings can increase the advantages of each of these technologies, being a very promising solution to combat climate change and increase the sustainability of cities. However, the viability of this joint solution significantly depends on local climatic conditions. The planet’s climate classification, known as the Köppen climate classification, is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. The Köppen climate classification divides climates into five main climate groups, with each group being referenced based on seasonal precipitation and temperature patterns. In the specific case of mainland Portugal, according to the Köppen classification, the climate is divided into two regions. In this article, case studies are developed for two Portuguese climatic regions, seeking to demonstrate the possibility of using the Köppen classification as a decision criterion for the eventual inclusion of rainwater harvesting systems in buildings with green roofs. For this study, the results of a previous study were applied, through which we obtained an expression to determine the runoff coefficients of green roofs common in Portugal, concluding that the Köppen climate classification can be used as a prior decision criterion regarding its incorporation or exclusion in rainwater harvesting system buildings combined with green roofs, depending on the location. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Approaches to Increase the Sustainability of the Built Environment)
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16 pages, 11632 KiB  
Article
Assessing Hygrothermal Performance in Building Walls Engineered for Extreme Cold Climate Environments
by Hevar Palani, Hamed Khaleghi, Parisa Salehi and Aslihan Karatas
Sustainability 2023, 15(24), 16597; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152416597 - 6 Dec 2023
Viewed by 727
Abstract
Buildings located in extreme cold climates encounter challenges (e.g., heat loss, condensation, and frozen utilities), especially within their wall envelopes. These challenges also play a pivotal role in occupant health, comfort, and the structural integrity of the building. While the existing literature has [...] Read more.
Buildings located in extreme cold climates encounter challenges (e.g., heat loss, condensation, and frozen utilities), especially within their wall envelopes. These challenges also play a pivotal role in occupant health, comfort, and the structural integrity of the building. While the existing literature has primarily focused on thermal performance, this study underscores the importance of evaluating hygrothermal performance within wall envelopes, given the existence of mold growth even in cases of high thermal resistance. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the hygrothermal performance of an adaptable house wall (AHW) panel that incorporates composite infill panels paired with vacuum-insulated panels to endure harsh cold conditions in Alaska. Therefore, three steps were proposed to: (1) collect the material and thermal properties of the AHW; (2) model the hygrothermal performance of the AHW in WUFI® PRO v6.7 software; and (3) analyze the results. The results revealed a moderate risk of mold growth in the inner plywood layer of the AHW, whereas the outer plywood layer showed zero risk, indicating an acceptable condition. The findings aid decisionmakers in recognizing potential mold-related issues in building walls before advancing to the construction phase. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Approaches to Increase the Sustainability of the Built Environment)
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15 pages, 990 KiB  
Article
Background Data in the Context of Pinus sylvestris, L. Glued Laminated Timber Manufacturing in Spain
by Teresa Garnica, Soledad Montilla, Sheila Otero, José Antonio Tenorio and Marta Conde
Sustainability 2023, 15(23), 16182; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152316182 - 22 Nov 2023
Viewed by 662
Abstract
The construction sector is achieving its goal of decarbonization. Bioproducts are known to reduce the environmental footprint of the building process, but it is necessary that we determine their exact environmental value. However, assessing the environmental impact relating to buildings is challenging due [...] Read more.
The construction sector is achieving its goal of decarbonization. Bioproducts are known to reduce the environmental footprint of the building process, but it is necessary that we determine their exact environmental value. However, assessing the environmental impact relating to buildings is challenging due to a lack of data. The objective of this study was to generate background datasets contextualized to Pinus sylvestrys, L. glulam manufacturing in Spain and apply those datasets to a cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment (LCA) to evaluate both embodied energy (EE) and carbon (EC), as well as biogenic carbon and emissions to air. The corresponding raw materials and energy flows required to apply the LCA methodology were gathered and processed from information from the Spanish forest and wood industry. The resulting background datasets include 27 vehicles and machines, which allowed the quantification of four impact category indicators: renewable primary energy (resources), non-renewable primary energy (resources), use of renewable secondary fuels and global warming potential. Biogenic carbon was also calculated. Based on those five values, the embodied energy and carbon of Pinus sylvestris, L. glulam were quantified: EE = 1401 MJ/UD and EC = −724 kgCO2-eq/UD. The generation of background datasets and environmental information is innovative and of great interest, and it is a powerful tool for prescribers and technicians. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Approaches to Increase the Sustainability of the Built Environment)
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16 pages, 978 KiB  
Article
Life Cycle Analysis of a Particleboard Based on Cardoon and Starch/Chitosan
by Teresa Margarida Mata, Clara Freitas, Gabriela Ventura Silva, Sandra Monteiro, Jorge Manuel Martins, Luísa Hora de Carvalho, Luís Manuel Silva and António Areosa Martins
Sustainability 2023, 15(23), 16179; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152316179 - 21 Nov 2023
Viewed by 1161
Abstract
This work analyzes the life cycle environmental impacts of producing a particleboard based on cardoon fibers and a starch/chitosan adhesive from a “cradle-to-gate” perspective, considering the following life cycle steps: raw material production, adhesive preparation (component mixing and heating), cardoon fiber preparation (crushing [...] Read more.
This work analyzes the life cycle environmental impacts of producing a particleboard based on cardoon fibers and a starch/chitosan adhesive from a “cradle-to-gate” perspective, considering the following life cycle steps: raw material production, adhesive preparation (component mixing and heating), cardoon fiber preparation (crushing and sieving), adhesive and fiber mixing, hot-pressing and final processing. The functional unit is a particleboard with the dimensions of 220 × 220 × 16 mm3. For the life cycle inventory, experimental data obtained from the production of particleboard on a pilot scale were used. The Aspen Plus V9 software was used to simulate the heating process in the manufacture of the biological adhesive and obtain the data associated with this stage. Portuguese or European conditions were considered for the background processes, using data from the EcoInvent V3.5 LCI database. The environmental impacts were quantified using the RECIPE methodology. To complement the study, the VOCs present in the panel were analyzed using the “active headspace” technique. The results show that for most of the environmental impact categories, energy consumption is dominant, followed by starch and chitosan production. Using fully renewable electricity produced in photovoltaic panels, instead of the Portuguese electricity mix, significantly reduces the impacts in most of the environmental impact categories, for example, the carbon footprint is reduced by 34%. Future studies will analyze how the environmental impacts can be further reduced, and how process scale-up may influence them. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Approaches to Increase the Sustainability of the Built Environment)
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15 pages, 8663 KiB  
Article
Innovative Thermal Renders Incorporating Oyster Shells for Sustainable Insulation
by Poliana Bellei, Fernanda Magalhães, Manuel Pereira, Isabel Torres, Runar Solstad and Inês Flores-Colen
Sustainability 2023, 15(22), 15952; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152215952 - 15 Nov 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 908
Abstract
In accordance with current sustainable development objectives, it is intended to implement innovative and sustainable solutions at economic, environmental, and functional levels, boosting the construction sector to increasingly contribute to society. Expanded cork is an alternative to sand aggregate in improving the thermal [...] Read more.
In accordance with current sustainable development objectives, it is intended to implement innovative and sustainable solutions at economic, environmental, and functional levels, boosting the construction sector to increasingly contribute to society. Expanded cork is an alternative to sand aggregate in improving the thermal insulating properties of renders. In addition, other materials can be incorporated as aggregates in an attempt to contribute to both the improvement of the physical characteristics that the render must fulfil as well as the improvement of thermal behaviour (if possible). In this sense, bio-based materials generated by the aquaculture sector, such as oyster shells, can contribute as a bio-based insulation material for thermal renders. In this study, thermal natural hydraulic lime mortars were produced from a mixture of expanded cork (EC) insulating aggregate and oyster shells (OSs). The percentages of replacing EC by OSs were 20, 30, 40, and 50%. The tests were carried out in fresh and hardened states. The studied mortars presented a thermal conductivity and compressive strength of 0.151 W/(m·K) and 0.63 MPa, respectively. The most interesting performance between thermal conductivity and compressive strength was for the composite with 50% of each bio-based material. The potential of incorporating oyster shells as a bio-based insulation material could contribute to a sustainable blue circular economy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Approaches to Increase the Sustainability of the Built Environment)
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22 pages, 5217 KiB  
Article
Exploring the Significance of Heritage Preservation in Enhancing the Settlement System Resilience
by Alena Harbiankova, Elena Scherbina and Mikalai Budzevich
Sustainability 2023, 15(21), 15251; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152115251 - 25 Oct 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1319
Abstract
The sustainable development of urban and rural settlements is considered one of the primary objectives of economic, social, and urban planning. Recent studies focused significant attention on the issue of the resilience of rural settlements due to the challenges and threats they face. [...] Read more.
The sustainable development of urban and rural settlements is considered one of the primary objectives of economic, social, and urban planning. Recent studies focused significant attention on the issue of the resilience of rural settlements due to the challenges and threats they face. One of the essential drivers affecting the resilience of rural settlements is cultural heritage preservation. The research methods were based on the complex systems approach. The study employed a multidimensional analysis method to evaluate the resilience of rural settlements based on five sub-systems: social, economic, environmental, physical, and managerial. The proposed method for evaluation of the settlement sustainability involves the application of a settlement development index and considers the preservation of cultural heritage objects. The data sources used contain open-access information and statistical data provided by municipal organizations, including GIS maps, statistical, and archival records. The study aim was to establish methodological frameworks for evaluating the influence of cultural heritage on the resilience of rural settlements as well as to obtain a quantitative assessment of the resilience of rural settlements within the Zavałočycy local council, located at Hlusk district, Mahiloŭ region, Belarus. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Approaches to Increase the Sustainability of the Built Environment)
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18 pages, 10101 KiB  
Article
Experimental Characterisation of Different Ecological Substrates for Use in Green Roof Systems
by Katya Coelho, João Almeida, Fernando Castro, André Ribeiro, Tiago Teixeira, Paulo Palha and Nuno Simões
Sustainability 2023, 15(1), 575; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15010575 - 29 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1688
Abstract
Green roofs are made up of several components, including those belonging to the waterproofing and drainage layers, substrate, and vegetation. Of these, the substrate is undoubtedly one of the most important layers of a green roof, contributing not only to the healthy growth [...] Read more.
Green roofs are made up of several components, including those belonging to the waterproofing and drainage layers, substrate, and vegetation. Of these, the substrate is undoubtedly one of the most important layers of a green roof, contributing not only to the healthy growth of vegetation but also to the water retention capacity and thermal behaviour of the whole solution. Although green roofs are widely recognized as sustainable solutions, it is possible to further improve their environmental performance by developing more ecological substrates that contain industrial by-products. Bearing this objective in mind, sixteen newly developed substrates were characterized in terms of thermal conductivity, specific heat, emissivity, water vapour transmission, hygroscopic sorption, and water retention/drainage capacity. These properties are extremely relevant when solving heat and mass transfer problems as well as for water management prediction. Two reference substrates were also studied for comparison purposes. The results showed that the new ecological substrates have properties that make them comparable to conventional substrates already available on the market. Additionally, the results showed that temperature, moisture content, and density play an important role in the behaviour of substrates of this kind and have a significant influence on many of the studied properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Approaches to Increase the Sustainability of the Built Environment)
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Review

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15 pages, 775 KiB  
Review
Origins of the Sustainability Concept and Its Application to the Construction Sector in the EU
by Teresa Diaz Gonçalves and José Saporiti Machado
Sustainability 2023, 15(18), 13775; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151813775 - 15 Sep 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1345
Abstract
Sustainability aims to integrate environmental and social considerations into decision-making, alongside purely economic factors, in a balanced manner. Here, a concise critical review of policy instruments concerning the definition and implementation of this concept is presented. The sources were selected as the most [...] Read more.
Sustainability aims to integrate environmental and social considerations into decision-making, alongside purely economic factors, in a balanced manner. Here, a concise critical review of policy instruments concerning the definition and implementation of this concept is presented. The sources were selected as the most relevant to capturing the origins and evolution of the idea of sustainability from the 1960s to the present day. The analysis narrows down to the construction sector within the European Union (EU), of which the perspective guides the work. As it emerges, the historical path led to the materialization of the sustainability concept into the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Despite interpretative discussions around the concept, these SDGs became the relevant sustainability model for sectors like construction. Its application to practice, however, faces three major challenges that must be acknowledged and addressed to allow defining robust and genuinely sustainable decision-making strategies: greenwashing, commodification, and “cherry picking”. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Approaches to Increase the Sustainability of the Built Environment)
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