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Built Environment and Sustainable Energy Efficiency

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 December 2025 | Viewed by 1210

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
C-Made—Centre for Building Materials and Technologies, Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilha, Portugal
Interests: inspection, diagnosis and intervention in the rehabilitation of buildings; assessment, quality and energy efficiency of buildings; sustainable construction; housing and health
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
School of Science and Technology, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, ECT-Polo I, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
Interests: buildings energy efficiency; thermal comfort; thermal performance analysis; near-zero energy buildings; passive solar design; sustainable construction; waste valorization as building materials; building materials characterization; sustainable materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Department of Civil Construction and Planning, Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, Bragança, Portugal
Interests: rehabilitation; reinforcement; old masonry; consolidation; mortars; earth constructions

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Guest Editor
C–MADE—Centre of Materials and Building Technologies, LABSED, Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Beira Interior (UBI), 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
Interests: bioclimatic housing design; adaptation for climate change

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The built environment plays a pivotal role in the global effort to achieve sustainable development. With buildings accounting for a significant proportion of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions worldwide, enhancing energy efficiency within this sector is critical. Innovations in materials, construction techniques, energy systems, and urban planning offer promising opportunities to minimize environmental impacts while maintaining functionality, comfort, and resilience.

The intersection of the built environment and sustainability is central to addressing the urgent challenges of climate change and resource depletion. With buildings and infrastructure accounting for a substantial share of global energy use and emissions, improving energy efficiency is not merely a technical goal—it is a moral imperative for achieving a sustainable future.

This Special Issue, titled "Built Environment and Sustainable Energy Efficiency", aims to bring together cutting-edge research and perspectives on integrating energy-efficient practices into the design, construction, and operation of the built environment. The Special Issue will serve as a platform for interdisciplinary dialog, addressing the technological, economic, social, and policy dimensions of energy efficiency.

Scope and Themes

We aim to curate research and insights that advance the integration of sustainable practices into the design, construction, and operation of the built environment. This Special Issue emphasizes holistic and transformative strategies that align energy efficiency with broader sustainability objectives, including resource conservation, climate adaptation, and social well-being. Suggested topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Sustainable Building Design and Performance 
  • Passive and active energy-saving strategies emphasizing occupant well-being.
  • Renewable energy integration for carbon-neutral buildings.
  • Design frameworks promoting resource efficiency and climate resilience.
2. Green Construction Practices and Material
  • Sustainable materials that enhance energy efficiency and reduce embodied carbon.
  • Construction methods that minimize waste and energy use.
  • Strategies for retrofitting and rehabilitating buildings for sustainable performance.
3. Urban Sustainability and Energy Optimization
  • Sustainable urban planning and zoning for low-carbon cities.
  • Nature-based solutions and green infrastructure in urban energy systems.
  • Smart technologies enabling energy-efficient and resilient communities.
4. Policy, Equity, and Sustainability Synergies
  • Policy frameworks supporting equitable access to energy-efficient housing.
  • Economic models integrating lifecycle sustainability in energy upgrades.
  • Addressing the social dimensions of energy efficiency, including affordability and inclusivity.
5. Innovative Practices and Global Perspectives
  • Case studies showcasing sustainable energy efficiency in diverse climatic and cultural contexts.
  • Lessons learned from grassroots and policy-driven sustainability efforts.
  • Collaboration across sectors to scale sustainable energy solutions.

Audience and Impact

This Special Issue will appeal to a multidisciplinary audience, including architects, engineers, urban planners, environmental scientists, and policymakers. It aims to inspire transformative practices that advance the dual goals of energy efficiency and sustainability. By emphasizing systems thinking and actionable solutions, the Special Issue will contribute to global efforts to reduce carbon footprints, enhance resilience, and promote equitable access to sustainably built environments.

Dr. João Carlos Gonçalves Lanzinha
Dr. Ana Briga-Sá
Dr. Eduarda Cristina Pires Luso
Dr. Pedro Manuel Isaac Brandão
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 architecture
  • energy efficiency
  • green building design
  • renewable energy integration
  • low-carbon urban development
  • sustainable construction materials
  • passive design strategies
  • climate-resilient buildings
  • smart energy technologies
  • built environment sustainability

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

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 903 KiB  
Article
An Investigation of the Adoption of Net-Zero Buildings (NZBs) in the South African Commercial Property Market
by Sindisiwe Kalumba, Hannah Volker and Saul Nurick
Sustainability 2025, 17(12), 5272; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17125272 - 7 Jun 2025
Viewed by 388
Abstract
This study investigates factors influencing net-zero building (NZB) adoption in the South African commercial property sector through a qualitative analysis of four case studies, with a net-zero carbon building focus. Findings indicate that while green building certifications have exceeded 1000 since 2009, NZB [...] Read more.
This study investigates factors influencing net-zero building (NZB) adoption in the South African commercial property sector through a qualitative analysis of four case studies, with a net-zero carbon building focus. Findings indicate that while green building certifications have exceeded 1000 since 2009, NZB adoption remains limited (64 certifications as of 2024). Key barriers include retrofit cost premiums (20–30%), technical capacity gaps, and insufficient policy frameworks. Primary drivers comprise demonstrated energy efficiency gains (15–25% reductions), tenant demand for sustainable properties, and institutional support through certification programs. This research contributes an empirical model identifying transitional “Amber Zone” factors, including energy security concerns and renewable energy returns on investment, which mediate between barriers and drivers. Case evidence shows NZB implementation can be achieved within existing budgets through integrated design approaches. These findings provide a structured framework for understanding NZB adoption dynamics in emerging markets facing similar energy and sustainability challenges. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Built Environment and Sustainable Energy Efficiency)
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29 pages, 5511 KiB  
Article
Enhancing South-Facing Office Environments at 51° Latitude: Optimizing Shading, PV Performance, and Acoustics with Sloped Horizontal Fins
by Marcin Brzezicki, Joanna Jablonska, Pawel Regucki and Dominik Błoński
Sustainability 2025, 17(10), 4426; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17104426 - 13 May 2025
Viewed by 541
Abstract
This study investigates the effectiveness of sloped horizontal shading fins in enhancing visual comfort, electricity generation, and acoustic attenuation in a south-facing office room in Wrocław, Poland (51° latitude). A simulation-based approach combined Radiance daylight simulations, PV energy modeling, and graphical acoustic analysis. [...] Read more.
This study investigates the effectiveness of sloped horizontal shading fins in enhancing visual comfort, electricity generation, and acoustic attenuation in a south-facing office room in Wrocław, Poland (51° latitude). A simulation-based approach combined Radiance daylight simulations, PV energy modeling, and graphical acoustic analysis. Four fin configurations were tested to identify the optimal design. The results indicate that Variant 3, featuring two 1 m wide fins inclined at 45°, achieved the best overall performance, increasing UDI300–3000/168 from 53.1% to 95.8%, reducing DGP from 50% to 27%, and enabling an estimated annual electricity production of 4.67 MWh. Additionally, applying sound-absorbing material on the shaded side of the fins significantly reduced reflective acoustic wave bounces, significantly reducing façade-exposed noise. This multifunctional solution demonstrates a practical and scalable strategy for improving office environmental quality in temperate climates, contributing to energy efficiency, acoustic comfort, and visual well being. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Built Environment and Sustainable Energy Efficiency)
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