Topic Editors

Dr. Yanxiao Feng
School of Applied Engineering and Technology, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ 07102 USA
Department of Architectural Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
Dr. Nan Wang
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60201, USA

Human-Centered Sustainable Buildings: Data-Driven Insights, Smart Sensing Technologies, Renewable Energy Integration, and Emerging Technologies

Abstract submission deadline
20 December 2025
Manuscript submission deadline
20 February 2026
Viewed by
9715

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

The global building and construction industry is at a critical juncture, facing challenges related to rapid urbanization and environmental and energy pressures, simultaneously striving to create environments that promote occupant health, comfort, and well-being. As urban spaces continue to evolve, there is an urgent need for solutions that prioritize human-centered approaches for enhancing overall quality of life while mitigating the adverse energy, environmental, and societal impacts of building construction and operation. This Topic, titled Human-Centered Sustainable Buildings: Data-Driven Insights, Smart Sensing Technologies, Renewable Energy Integration and Emerging Technologies, invites research that explores advanced solutions to these challenges. By integrating human-centered design principles, emerging technologies, and sustainable practices, we will reimagine the built environment. We welcome contributions on the following:

  • Data-driven methodologies enhancing indoor environmental quality;
  • Smart sensing technologies for real-time occupant-centric assessment;
  • Renewable energy supporting a livable indoor environment;
  • Human-centered design approaches fostering comfort and inclusivity;
  • Emerging innovations addressing energy, environmental, and societal challenges.

This Topic encourages multidisciplinary research that combines technological advancements with human-focused strategies to develop resilient and adaptable building solutions. We look forward to receiving submissions that help to create a sustainable, human-centered future.

Dr. Yanxiao Feng
Dr. Julian Wang
Dr. Nan Wang
Topic Editors

Keywords

  • human-centered approaches
  • occupant response and satisfaction
  • comfort and well-being
  • indoor environmental quality
  • smart sensing technologies
  • renewable energy systems
  • data-driven analytics
  • sustainable building retrofitting
  • adaptive strategies

Participating Journals

Journal Name Impact Factor CiteScore Launched Year First Decision (median) APC
Buildings
buildings
3.1 4.4 2011 14.9 Days CHF 2600 Submit
CivilEng
civileng
2.0 4.0 2020 27 Days CHF 1400 Submit
Energies
energies
3.2 7.3 2008 16.2 Days CHF 2600 Submit
Sensors
sensors
3.5 8.2 2001 19.7 Days CHF 2600 Submit
Sustainability
sustainability
3.3 7.7 2009 19.3 Days CHF 2400 Submit

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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33 pages, 16564 KB  
Article
Design and Implementation of an Off-Grid Smart Street Lighting System Using LoRaWAN and Hybrid Renewable Energy for Energy-Efficient Urban Infrastructure
by Seyfettin Vadi
Sensors 2025, 25(17), 5579; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25175579 - 6 Sep 2025
Viewed by 3191
Abstract
The growing demand for electricity and the urgent need to reduce environmental impact have made sustainable energy utilization a global priority. Street lighting, as a significant consumer of urban electricity, requires innovative solutions to enhance efficiency and reliability. This study presents an off-grid [...] Read more.
The growing demand for electricity and the urgent need to reduce environmental impact have made sustainable energy utilization a global priority. Street lighting, as a significant consumer of urban electricity, requires innovative solutions to enhance efficiency and reliability. This study presents an off-grid smart street lighting system that combines solar photovoltaic generation with battery storage and Internet of Things (IoT)-based control to ensure continuous and efficient operation. The system integrates Long Range Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN) communication technology for remote monitoring and control without internet connectivity and employs the Perturb and Observe (P&O) maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm to maximize energy extraction from solar sources. Data transmission from the LoRaWAN gateway to the cloud is facilitated through the Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT) protocol, enabling real-time access and management via a graphical user interface. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed system achieves a maximum MPPT efficiency of 97.96%, supports reliable communication over distances of up to 10 km, and successfully operates four LED streetlights, each spaced 400 m apart, across an open area of approximately 1.2 km—delivering a practical, energy-efficient, and internet-independent solution for smart urban infrastructure. Full article
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35 pages, 2219 KB  
Review
Fire Evacuation for People with Functional Disabilities in High-Rise Buildings: A Scoping Review
by Yimiao Lyu and Hongchun Wang
Buildings 2025, 15(4), 634; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15040634 - 18 Feb 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4767
Abstract
Fire emergencies pose significant risks to occupants in high-rise buildings, particularly individuals with functional limitations who struggle with conventional evacuation facilities like stairs. The objective of the study was to survey current literature to identify safe fire evacuation solutions for functionally limited groups. [...] Read more.
Fire emergencies pose significant risks to occupants in high-rise buildings, particularly individuals with functional limitations who struggle with conventional evacuation facilities like stairs. The objective of the study was to survey current literature to identify safe fire evacuation solutions for functionally limited groups. A systematic analysis of 156 journal articles (2000–2024) was conducted to identify factors affecting the evacuation, and their impact on evacuation efficiency. The findings were categorized into four main types: (1) human behavior during fire emergencies, (2) architectural and environmental factors, (3) fire and smoke risk calculation and control, and (4) evacuation models and tools. Additionally, our findings highlight the limitations of current research for individuals with disabilities, including evacuation methods, building design, fire risk calculation and control, evacuation models, and elevator operation strategies. The study concludes with recommendations for future research to address the identified gaps. This study underscores the need for further research on expanding solutions for different emergencies (e.g., earthquakes), addressing special building environments (e.g., hospitals), and leveraging digital technologies to improve evacuation processes for vulnerable populations. Future efforts will focus on incorporating rescuers and rescue methodologies into the evacuation framework to further enhance the safety and protection of vulnerable populations. Full article
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