Special Issue "Sustainable Construction and Development"

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Engineering and Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2021.

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Sandra Pereira
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Science and Technology, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Portugal
Interests: energy efficiency; buildings sustainability; sustainable materials; construction economics; machine learning

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

"Sustainable development is the development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

Complexities of sustainable construction and development have to be studied, including the challenges, importance, and impact on the performance of functions. Furthermore, innovation, professionalism, ethics, culture, and procurement practices and regulations should be addressed.

Together with the dimension of environmental sustainability, economic and social sustainability has to also be taken into account:

- The role of business models, the size of organizations, the dynamics of business networks, and the procurement practices;

- The role of construction technologies, materials, and final products and their impact on people’s lives and society;

Lessons have to be learned from good, and best practices in sustainability, and how these could be embraced and retaken, together with challenges and appropriate guidelines for implementation. Future challenges in sustainable development must be based on possible scenarios considering the level of success of mitigation and adaptation measures.

In this Special Issue, we invite contributions to the obligations and actions that play a role in the concept and practice of sustainability in construction and development and that explore the need for environmental, economic, and social sustainability, and the implications for the construction industry.

Dr. Sandra Pereira
Guest Editor

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 papers will be 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 1900 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

  • Environmental sustainability
  • Economical sustainability
  • Social sustainability
  • Sustainable construction
  • Sustainable development
  • Construction engineering
  • Quality of construction
  • Green buildings

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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Article
The Evaluation System of the Sustainable Development of Municipal Solid Waste Landfills and Its Application
Sustainability 2021, 13(3), 1150; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13031150 - 22 Jan 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 487
Abstract
Improving the understanding of the stabilization process is of great significance to guide the sustainable development of municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills. An evaluation system of the stabilization process of MSW landfills has been established. The indices of the evaluation system involve the [...] Read more.
Improving the understanding of the stabilization process is of great significance to guide the sustainable development of municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills. An evaluation system of the stabilization process of MSW landfills has been established. The indices of the evaluation system involve the degradation degree of MSW, the release of landfill gas production potential, and the settlement of landfills. Based on the biochemical-consolidation-solute migration coupled model, an evaluation method of the MSW landfill stabilization process is proposed by combining field tests with numerical simulation. The stabilization process of the Jiangcungou landfill in China is investigated by using the proposed method. The analyzed results show that the stabilization process of high kitchen waste content landfills can be divided into three stages, which is different from the stabilization process of landfills in developed countries. For the Jiangcungou landfill, the ratio of cellulose to lignin in MSW decreases rapidly during the fast degradation stage when obvious settlement occurs. During the slow degradation stage, the hydrolysis rate is slow and settlement develops slowly. When the landfill reaches the stabilization stage, the ratio of cellulose to lignin of MSW changes very slowly; most of the landfill gas potential has been released; the settlement stabilization is completed basically. The change processes of the three evaluation indices are different, of which the degradation stabilization index is the main one. According to the findings above, leachate recirculation is recommended to adjust the degradation environment in the landfill, which can be helpful to avoid acidification at the fast degradation stage. Temporary cover is suggested to improve landfill gas collection efficiency at the beginning of the stable methanogenic stage. The landfill site closure should be operated when the settlement rate is low. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Construction and Development)
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Article
Evaluation of Energy Savings and Economic Benefits of SOLTAG Rooftop Extensions under the Conditions of a Model Area in the Slovak Republic
Sustainability 2021, 13(2), 451; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13020451 - 06 Jan 2021
Viewed by 419
Abstract
Modular building systems in the Slovak Republic are assessed as a practical construction method and solution for a particular type of housing stock, as well as an alternative. Most existing panel buildings designed in the Slovak Republic had sufficient static reserve, allowing for [...] Read more.
Modular building systems in the Slovak Republic are assessed as a practical construction method and solution for a particular type of housing stock, as well as an alternative. Most existing panel buildings designed in the Slovak Republic had sufficient static reserve, allowing for the construction of rooftop extensions. Despite the considerable advantages of modular rooftop extensions, the aforementioned method of increasing available and sustainable housing stock—especially in large cities—is under-utilized in Slovakia. This paper outlines a solution for low-energy extensions—the SOLTAG concept—on the basis of knowledge acquired by studying problems related to Soltag extensions as part of the SURE-Fit (Sustainable Roof Extension Retrofit) project and practical experience from Denmark. This paper aims to assess and compare energy savings and economic benefits for three rooftop extensions of the SOLTAG concept and bricked extensions for a model area in the Slovak Republic. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Construction and Development)
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Article
Development and Performance Analysis of Soil Flow Protector to Reduce Soft Soil Settlement Caused by Cavity Formation
Sustainability 2020, 12(9), 3641; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12093641 - 01 May 2020
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 600
Abstract
Settlement of a relatively small magnitude occurs in box structures supported by pile foundations. However, if cavities are generated under the box structure, ground settlement can be accelerated by surrounding soil entering the cavities. In order for the structure to maintain stability for [...] Read more.
Settlement of a relatively small magnitude occurs in box structures supported by pile foundations. However, if cavities are generated under the box structure, ground settlement can be accelerated by surrounding soil entering the cavities. In order for the structure to maintain stability for a long period of time, sustainable development to maintain the stability of the building must be continued. Preventing rapid ground settlement can lead to long-term structural stability and prevent the occurrence of life-threatening damage, thereby helping to maintain and build a sustainable urban infrastructure. Thus, in this study, a soil flow protector (SFP) that can be easily installed on the sides of the structure was developed to mitigate the aforementioned problem. Field tests and numerical analysis were performed to investigate the effect of SFP installation on structural stability and settlement reduction. After performing field experiments, it was found that SFP installation could reduce ground settlement and ground horizontal displacement. Moreover, for a 79.9-mm settlement, the safety factor was 1.315, which remained stable even when the settlement reached 345 mm. Hence, the developed SFP can be used to reduce soft ground settlement affecting box structures supported by pile foundations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Construction and Development)
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Review

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Review
Sustainability in Building and Construction within the Framework of Circular Cities and European New Green Deal. The Contribution of Concrete Recycling
Sustainability 2021, 13(4), 2139; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13042139 - 17 Feb 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1275
Abstract
Climate change and ecological crisis are a huge threat to Europe and the world. To overcome these challenges, Europe adopted the New Green Deal as a strategy transforming the Union into a competitive resource-efficient economy without greenhouse gas emissions and become carbon neutral [...] Read more.
Climate change and ecological crisis are a huge threat to Europe and the world. To overcome these challenges, Europe adopted the New Green Deal as a strategy transforming the Union into a competitive resource-efficient economy without greenhouse gas emissions and become carbon neutral in a few decades. The European Green Deal includes the new circular economy action plan, highlighting the importance of a products’ “green design”, saving raw materials, and waste prevention oriented along the entire life cycle of products. Construction and buildings represent one of the key topics for the green transition. In the European Union, buildings are responsible for 40% of our energy consumption and 36% of greenhouse gas emissions, which are mainly caused by construction, usage, renovation, and demolition. Improving environmental efficiency can play a key role in reaching the carbon neutrality of Europe that is expected to be achieved by 2050. In this research, it was explored how Eco-design, as an innovative approach in buildings and construction, Life Cycle Thinking and Life Cycle Assessment, as fundamental supporting tools in sustainability, and finally appropriate and effective Construction and Demolition Waste recycling processes, particularly oriented to concrete recycling according to the case studies analyzed, can promote a circular economy in buildings and construction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Construction and Development)
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Review
Life Cycle Assessment of Geotechnical Works in Building Construction: A Review and Recommendations
Sustainability 2020, 12(20), 8442; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12208442 - 13 Oct 2020
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1062
Abstract
Life cycle assessment (LCA) is becoming an increasingly important environmental systems analysis tool in the construction sector for the identification of measures and strategies to reduce the environmental impact of buildings throughout the whole value chain. Geotechnical processes, such as earthworks, ground improvement [...] Read more.
Life cycle assessment (LCA) is becoming an increasingly important environmental systems analysis tool in the construction sector for the identification of measures and strategies to reduce the environmental impact of buildings throughout the whole value chain. Geotechnical processes, such as earthworks, ground improvement and foundation construction, are often energy- and resource-intensive. Geotechnical works can thus play an important role in moving towards more sustainable building construction practices. This article reviews recent applications of LCA of buildings, including foundations as the focus or part of the system studied, based on the ISO 14040/44 standards. The system boundaries of geotechnical works are defined and a conceptual model for LCA of geotechnical works in building construction is proposed. The results of the literature review showed that the application of LCA to the building substructure is currently under development, but still in a fragmented state. There is a need for a unified framework for LCA of geotechnical works in building construction, especially regarding the definition of the functional unit, the choice of system boundaries, the appropriateness of inventory data, and the selection of impact categories. The conceptual model focuses on the demonstration of inventory flows and system boundaries and can serve as a basis for scope definition in future LCA studies of geotechnical works in building construction. It may also support effective communication between different actors and stakeholders regarding environmental sustainability in the construction sector. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Construction and Development)
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