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Sustainable Re-Design of the Built Environment

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A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Civil Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2021) | Viewed by 77793

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Luís Bragança

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Civil Engineering Department, School of Engineering, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
Interests: circular economy in construction; sustainability assessment; LCA; sustainable building and rehabilitation technologies; energy in buildings
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Dr. Ricardo Mateus

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Guest Editor

Institute for Sustainability and Innovation in Structural Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Minho, Escola de Engenharia,‎ Guimarães, Portugal
Interests: sustainable construction; life cycle assessment; bio and geo-based construction products; circular economy in the construction sector; vernacular construction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Tarja Häkkinen

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Guest Editor

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Espoo, Finland
Interests: sustainability indicators; benchmarks; sustainability assessment; lifecycle assessment; resource efficiency; sustainable design and building processes; sustainable refurbishment of buildings and districts; steering instruments for low-carbon buildings

Dr. Helena Gervásio

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Guest Editor

Institute for Sustainability and Innovation in Structural Engineering, Universidade de Coimbra, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal
Interests: life cycle analysis of structures and infrastructures integrating environmental; social and economic criteria; resource efficiency in construction; energy efficiency in buildings; design for adaptability of structures; reuse/recycling of materials and circular economy; effects of climate change on structures and mitigation and adaptation measures; decarbonization strategies; digitalization tools (BIM, digital twins)
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The theme of climate change has shifted from being an issue of controversy, and even disbelief, to becoming a fact readily accepted by most people. There is no doubt that in the coming decades, the impacts of these changes will fall over hundreds of millions of people all over the world.

It is also well known that climate change is due to the effects of greenhouse gas emissions, and that these are caused by the burning of fuel fossil resources to produce electricity and other forms of energy that support human life and the modern lifestyle.

The building sector is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions worldwide and, therefore, re-designing the built environment to adapt it to climate change—and at the same time stop greenhouse gas emissions—is mandatory and urgent.

Energy consumption in buildings and in the built environment can be reduced by 30%–80% using proven and commercially available technologies. Investments in building energy efficiency are accompanied by significant direct and indirect savings which help offset incremental costs, providing a short return on investment. Therefore, buildings offer the greatest potential for achieving significant greenhouse gas emission reductions—at least in terms of cost—in both developed and developing countries.

Aside from energy, there are many more issues that are related to the sustainability of built environments. The building sector is responsible for creating, modifying, and improving the living environment for humanity. Construction and buildings have considerable environmental impacts, consuming a significant proportion of the limited resources of the planet, including water, land, and raw material.

The sustainability of the built environment, construction industry, and related activities is a pressing issue facing all stakeholders in promoting worldwide sustainable development.

This Special Issue of Applied Sciences “Sustainable Re-Design of the Built Environment” aims to cover the recent advances in all of the themes relevant to the development of more sustainable built environments.

Prof. Dr. Luís Bragança
Prof. Dr. Ricardo Mateus
Prof. Dr. Tarja Häkkinen
Prof. Dr. Helena Gervásio
Guest Editors

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Keywords

Adaptation of cities and buildings to climate change
Strategies, tools, and systems to promote circular economy in buildings and cities
Nearly zero and energy-positive built environments
Environmentally friendly renewable energy systems
Mitigation of impacts in urban areas
Sustainable management of water, sewage, energy, and waste
Technologies for a sustainable built environment
Sustainability and lifecycle assessment tools
BIM and digitalization applied to sustainable buildings and cities
Training and education to promote the implementation of sustainable approaches
Governance, strategies, and business models for a sustainable built environment

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Published Papers (14 papers)

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22 pages, 3278 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Methodology for the Digitalization of the Residential Building Renovation Process through OpenBIM-Based Workflows

by Alberto Armijo, Peru Elguezabal, Natalia Lasarte and Matthias Weise

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(21), 10429; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112110429 - 5 Nov 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3366

Abstract

The European building industry is facing a strong increase in renovation processes, which are still non-cost-effective, involve unproperly coordinated stakeholders, are disturbing for the occupants, and cause important inefficiencies in the overall renovation process. In this context, digitalization and Building Information Modelling (BIM), as an enabler, is the key solution that may drive renovation interventions to ensure a more successful and leaner process, aiding the whole value chain of actors to achieve its full potential. This research describes the OpenBIM methodology applied in order to transform the implicit knowledge from the stakeholders involved in the building renovation process, not structured enough for automation, into an OpenBIM digital process based on the BIM standards. The outcomes of this research are the OpenBIM ready workflows that represent the renovation process and information requirements according to the involvement of different stakeholders rooted in the analysis of barriers, requirements, and needs. Those workflows are the basis for the future development of specific products and tools for boosting digitalization and interoperability in the renovation process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Re-Design of the Built Environment)

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32 pages, 1620 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Risk Factors Impacting the Project Value Created by Green Buildings in Saudi Arabia

by Wael Alattyih, Husnain Haider and Halim Boussabaine

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(21), 7388; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10217388 - 22 Oct 2020

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 3980

Abstract

Green buildings are playing a pivotal role in sustainable urban development around the world, including Saudi Arabia. Green buildings subject to various sources of risk that influence the potential outcomes of the investments or services added in their design. The present study developed a structured framework to examine various risks that may lead to green buildings’ value destruction in Saudi Arabia. The framework initiates with identification of 66 potential risk factors from reported literature. A questionnaire compiling a list of identified risk factors was hand-delivered to 300 practitioners (managers, engineers, and architects) having knowledge of value engineering in the construction industry, and an overall response rate of 29.7% was achieved. Subsequently, descriptive statistics ranked the risk factors based on scores given by the respondents. The principal component analysis extracted 16 components, based on the likelihood of risk factors impacting the value created by green building design. Finally, the factor analysis grouped the 35 most significant risk factors in 5 clusters—i.e., 8 in functional risk, 13 in financial risk, 3 in operational risk, 3 in environmental risk, and 8 in management risk cluster. The study enhances the understanding of the importance of the risk factors’ impact on value creation. Based on the results, the value management (or engineering) teams and the top-level management can identify, manage, and control the risk factors that have a significant impact on the project value created by green building design. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Re-Design of the Built Environment)

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14 pages, 299 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Investigation of the Selection of LEED Version 4 Credits for Sustainable Building Projects

by Duy Hoang Pham, Byeol Kim, Joosung Lee and Yonghan Ahn

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(20), 7081; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10207081 - 12 Oct 2020

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 3992

Abstract

The U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification program supports sustainable construction as part of the effort to address climate change and resource depletion. It is the world’s most popular green building certification system, with more than 146,400 projects. Satisfying the LEED requirements brings many benefits to a project’s design performance and adds community value, but it does incur additional costs and challenges. This study examined the choices made by those working on the 222 LEED New Construction version 4 (LEED-NC-V4) projects that were certified between September 2014 and March 2020 to determine how the LEED project teams selected appropriate LEED goals. The results reveal interesting insights into the way project LEED goals and the credits corresponding to the target certification level were chosen, as well as the links and trade-offs between the various credit options. Based on these findings, useful suggestions are made for ways to help LEED project teams achieve their target certification levels and encourage authorities to continue to improve their local green regulations. The analysis of actual certified projects’ data makes it possible to re-evaluate the effects of newly updated requests in LEED v4 in the light of the stated goals of the USGBC. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Re-Design of the Built Environment)

18 pages, 4260 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Suitability of Wooden Shingles for Ventilated Roofs: An Evaluation of Ventilation Efficiency

by Günther Kain, Friedrich Idam, Franz Federspiel, Roman Réh and Ľuboš Krišťák

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(18), 6499; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10186499 - 17 Sep 2020

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3906

Abstract

Wooden shingles are a traditional roofing material on many culturally important building artifacts. Currently, the roof space of many traditional buildings is used for residential purposes and, consequently, cold roof constructions with ventilation layers are applied. In this study, it is evaluated whether the moisture content of wooden shingles is adversely affected by such constructions, compared with unvented shingle roofs over cold attics and whether a temporary closing of the ventilation gaps at the eaves contributes to a lower wood moisture content. Various sensors were installed in and around a building with wooden shingles on a ventilated roof and temperature, air moisture, and air speed in the ventilation layer were measured throughout a year. The findings show that the air speed in the ventilation layer can be adjusted from 0.06 to 0.25 m/s depending on the layout of the eaves. A hygrothermal model was applied to evaluate the effects of different ventilation operation modes and cardinal orientations of the roof on the moisture content of the wooden shingles. The results show that roof ventilation results in a 1% lower shingle moisture content on average than an unventilated roof over a cold attic. Finally, it is shown that the wood moisture content repeatedly reaches dangerous levels above 25% throughout a year, which is worse on north-facing roofs and, hence, measures to increase the dry-out are relevant. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Re-Design of the Built Environment)

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16 pages, 11568 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Noise Impact Mitigation of Shopping Centres Located near Densely Populated Areas for a Better Quality of Life

by Marius Deaconu, Grigore Cican and Laurentiu Cristea

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(18), 6484; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10186484 - 17 Sep 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2562

Abstract

The growth of the urban population and its activity in major cities has led to various public health challenges, including environmental pollution, which are reflected in a decrease in the well-being of societies. This paper presents a predictive tool used to mitigate the noise impact study of commercial centre noise on the surrounding houses, the study being conducted prior to its construction. Before the construction of the supermarket, the sound pressure levels from the façade of the surrounding building are measured to have a background noise level of the analysed area. The noise impact study is made using prediction software in which the houses and the shopping centre buildings are numerically modelled. The main noise sources of the commercial centre, defined in numerical predictions, are represented by the air conditioners, heat pumps situated on the roof and the noise generated by the activities from the supply ramp. The noise impact evaluation is performed at different heights and by determining the number of affected inhabitants. To reduce the number of exposed inhabitants to noise, four technical solutions are presented. The proposed noise solutions are based on technical and economic analyses and also on the urban landscape. The study presents the noise prediction for which the propagation calculus was made according to ISO 9613-2. The noise limits were evaluated according to the Romanian national legislation. The final part of this study presents the noise measurements performed after the construction of this shopping centre and the validation of the implemented noise reduction solution. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Re-Design of the Built Environment)

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19 pages, 1954 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Qualitative and Quantitative Assessment of Urban Sustainability in Social Housing Using the Casa Azul Label and SBTool Urban in Brazil

by Djanny Klismara de Oliveira Gonçalves, Érico Masiero, Luis Bragança and Francis Massashi Kakuda

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(18), 6246; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10186246 - 9 Sep 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2742

Abstract

The sustainability potential of Brazilian social housing (SH) needs to be assessed, considering the impacts on the population’s quality of life and urban systems. One of the main weaknesses of Casa Azul Label refers to the absence of a procedure that quantifies the measures for assessing urban sustainability. Based on the post-occupation analysis of an SH project implemented in Araraquara, São Paulo state, Brazil, evaluation of urban sustainability was developed, using a multi-method approach combining the Casa Azul Label and Sustainable Building Tool (SBTool) Urban certification tools. It was proposed to apply the calculations established in SBTool Urban according to the Casa Azul Label certification requirements, as well as insert a national benchmark as a reference for the analysis and normalizing results. These procedures made it possible to base an improvement framework on a Brazilian environmental certification system, including a quantification system to evaluate the efficiency of the applied measures regarding urban sustainability. The multi-method approach, associated with the SBTool Urban procedures, could significantly help to improve the application of a sustainable assessment system in social housing in developing countries. The high number of residential units produced in recent years could be qualitatively evaluated, improving both the construction procedures and the criteria for the urban insertion of human settlements. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Re-Design of the Built Environment)

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12 pages, 595 KiB

Open AccessArticle

COVID 19—A Qualitative Review for the Reorganization of Human Living Environments

by Ilenia Pierantoni, Mariano Pierantozzi and Massimo Sargolini

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(16), 5576; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10165576 - 12 Aug 2020

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 4199

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic is changing people’s habits and behaviors and will reshape city layout and management. Among the different areas of research to be explored, the paper outlines first inputs to use the COVID-19 health crisis as a “window of opportunity” to trigger a sustainable transition of urban living environments, through actions to reshape and territorial organization after COVID-19 and in preparation for future health. Before having a vaccine or medications that ensure a non-lethal disease course, there will be a phase of responsibility and coexistence with the virus. It will be a period whose duration experts are still unable to quantify. What changes in the city organization, behaviors and uses of spaces will we observe in the living environments? Will this lead to a sustainability transition? The paper proposes a qualitative review to investigate how the droplet might travel through the air and how COVID-19 has spread in different urban contexts to outline a comprehensive reflection on the future of the city and strategies for more resilient communities and territories. To achieve this goal, the paper proposes the need of a comparison between skills related to physics aspects, such as fluid dynamics (to assess how droplets spread) and skills related to architectural, urban and territorial design (to evaluate the conditions of indoor and outdoor living environments). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Re-Design of the Built Environment)

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27 pages, 4515 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Systematic Review of the Role of BIM in Building Sustainability Assessment Methods

by José Pedro Carvalho, Luís Bragança and Ricardo Mateus

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(13), 4444; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10134444 - 28 Jun 2020

Cited by 46 | Viewed by 7113

Abstract

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is creating new opportunities for the Architecture, Engineering and Construction industry. One of them is the integration of the Building Sustainability Assessment (BSA) during the design process. Currently, an approach for using BIM to foster and optimise the application of BSA methods has not been clearly established yet, creating a knowledge gap on the application of BIM for sustainability assessment purposes. Thus, this paper analyses the current role of BIM to evaluate three BSA methods—LEED, BREEAM and SBTool. The current BIM applicability is assessed by performing a systematic review, where the criteria being assessed and the applied BIM software are identified. A comparison is made to determine which BSA method can currently take more advantage from BIM and to identify the number of assessed criteria from each one. Furthermore, the attractiveness of a BIM-based assessment for SBTool is analysed, facing the actual BIM scenario for LEED and BREEAM. Despite the restrictions, BIM use is increasing for sustainability purposes. Most of the analysed studies and identified software are still focused on the use of LEED for assessing sustainability during the design phase. However, BIM software capabilities can also support the assessment of the other BSA methods so that process replicability can happen. Among the most addressed criteria, the energy and material-related categories are the most eminent. Autodesk Revit is the most-used software. A BIM-based assessment for SBTool will have enough attractiveness. It can assess, at least, the same percentage of criteria as the other schemes, creating new opportunities to enhance building sustainability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Re-Design of the Built Environment)

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28 pages, 16018 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The “PV Rooftop Garden”: Providing Recreational Green Roofs and Renewable Energy as a Multifunctional System within One Surface Area

by Stefan Sattler, Irene Zluwa and Doris Österreicher

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(5), 1791; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10051791 - 5 Mar 2020

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 10287

Abstract

In urban areas, summer temperatures are continuously increasing, and cities are aiming at implementing measures to mitigate the urban heat island (UHI) effect. Reducing sealed surfaces and adding plants have been shown to be beneficial for urban microclimates. Green roofs are thus a viable alternative to standard roofs made out of materials that completely seal the top layer. However, roofs are, at the same time, also ideal for the integration of photovoltaics (PVs), as they are mostly unshaded. With both applications competing for the same surface area, solutions must be found that symbiotically combine the benefits of vegetation and renewable energy. Using an interdisciplinary study, various designs were developed for prototypical applications to integrate PV systems into rooftop gardens, with a specific focus on retrofitting flat roofs. The prototypes were analyzed and tested based on structural design aspects, suitable plant choices, and energy output. The results showed that the concurrent integration of PVs and green roofs into the same surface area can be achieved with lightweight construction, which is particularly suitable for existing buildings. The system can contribute to much-needed urban renewable energy generation, the mitigation of the UHI effect, and the provision of recreational spaces. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Re-Design of the Built Environment)

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21 pages, 16349 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characterization of Representative Residential Buildings within a Neighborhood and Their Energy Efficiency Levels According to RTQ-R

by Regiane Giacomin, João Luiz Calmon, Darli Vieira and Milena Chang Chain

Appl. Sci. 2019, 9(18), 3832; https://doi.org/10.3390/app9183832 - 12 Sep 2019

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2366

Abstract

Approximately 54% of Brazilian electricity consumption is attributed to the residential, commercial, public, and service sectors; thus, it is important to formulate strategies that promote both the energy efficiency of buildings and a better understanding of their thermal and energy performance. Within the scope of the Brazilian Labeling Program (Programa Brasileiro de Etiquetagem—PBE), technical regulations were developed to classify the level of energy efficiency of buildings. This article defines four representative buildings based on an analysis of the most common typologies that represent the multi-family residential buildings of a neighborhood. A total of 663 buildings were mapped and classified. The four representative buildings were evaluated for their thermal and energy performance in relation to Building Labeling (Quality Technical Regulation–Residential: RTQ-R). The results for the housing units (HUs) were analyzed for cooling degree-hours (cooling for summer), relative consumption for refrigeration (artificial cooling), performance of the envelope in summer, and the final classification of the HUs by the water heating system; the results for the entire multi-family building were analyzed. These results provide data that will contribute to an efficient policy for the housing industry and to future studies on the incorporation of measures that promote energy efficiency. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Re-Design of the Built Environment)

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12 pages, 1860 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Contributions of Water-Related Building Installations to Urban Strategies for Mitigation and Adaptation to Face Climate Change

by Carla Pimentel-Rodrigues and Armando Silva-Afonso

Appl. Sci. 2019, 9(17), 3575; https://doi.org/10.3390/app9173575 - 1 Sep 2019

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2357

Abstract

In addition to the possible contributions of buildings to mitigating CO₂ emissions, increased attention is being paid to the potential impacts of climate change on urban environments. According to the United Nations, about 54% of the planet’s population currently lives in cities, but this percentage is expected to rise to 66% in 2050, which reveals the scale of this issue. This paper develops a reflection on the possible contributions of water-related building installations to mitigate emissions and increase urban area adaptation to the effects of climate change. One of the most promising solutions to facing climate change, which is analysed in detail in this paper, is combining rainwater harvesting systems with green roofs. However, in view of developing the necessary engineering projects, there are insufficient existing studies to estimate the parameters to be used in each location given their climate characteristics, particularly the monthly runoff coefficients, which constitute the key parameter for designing these installations in some regions. Some recent standards present generic theoretical values for designing these combined installations, but they are far from reality in some regions, such as the Mediterranean basin. Therefore, based on the data available in Portugal, this paper reports some of the results obtained from research on the values of the monthly runoff coefficients. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Re-Design of the Built Environment)

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15 pages, 292 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Adaptation of the SBTool for Sustainability Assessment of High School Buildings in Portugal—SAHSB^PT

by Tatiana Santos Saraiva, Manuela de Almeida and Luís Bragança

Appl. Sci. 2019, 9(13), 2664; https://doi.org/10.3390/app9132664 - 30 Jun 2019

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3330

Abstract

The European Union objectives in the Horizon 2020 program aim to reduce environmental impact through strategies such as the improvement of energy efficiency and the use of renewable technologies. With regard to the goal of sustainable development—which integrates environmental, social, and economic dimensions relating to the preservation of the planet and the integrity of consumers—several types of sustainability certification tools are currently used in the construction industry e.g., Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM), and the Sustainable Building Tool (SBTool) There are international sustainability methodologies designed specifically for high schools and methodologies specific to the Portuguese reality, such as Natura Domus, LiderA (Liderar pelo Ambiente para a construção sustentável, Leading the Environment for Sustainable Construction) and SBtool^PT (Sustainable Building Tool, Portugal). Currently, with the concern in Portugal to requalify schools, it has become necessary to develop a specific methodology for school buildings according to the Portuguese reality. This work highlights the SBTool methodology that is employed in several countries and can be adapted to basic education institutions as the basis for the formulation of responsible citizens and the development of a country. The main aim of this study is to adapt an already existing assessment tool of sustainability (SBTool^PT), maintaining some indicators while modifying and adding others, in order to develop a methodology specifically for conducting a Sustainability Assessment of High School Buildings in Portugal—SAHSB^PT. In order to achieve this goal, other methodologies that already incorporate parameters relating to the school environment are analyzed, such as LEED BD + C Schools (LEED Building Design and Construction School), BREEAM Education 2008, and the SBTool for K–12 schools. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Re-Design of the Built Environment)

16 pages, 2511 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Roadmap for the Integration of Active Solar Systems into Buildings

by Constantinos Vassiliades, Soteris Kalogirou, Aimilios Michael and Andreas Savvides

Appl. Sci. 2019, 9(12), 2462; https://doi.org/10.3390/app9122462 - 17 Jun 2019

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4351

Abstract

This paper aims to simplify the interdisciplinary design process that will be used as a design tool for the viable integration of active solar energy systems into buildings, i.e., Building-Integrated Solar Thermal Systems—BISTSs; Building-Integrated Photovoltaic Systems—BIPVSs, through the creation of a roadmap. The research also aims supplement the work of researchers who have dealt with the creation of design tools that aim to optimise a specific aspect of a building design, or their geometric forms, in order to shape energy-efficient and sustainable architectural solutions. More specifically, a prescriptive design strategy is derived from the proposed design tool. This is based on five design steps, each of which is analysed and which lead to the creation of a comprehensive design tool for siting buildings so as to optimise the integration of solar systems. The originality of this tool is based on the fact that it makes an important step in the standardisation of these studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Re-Design of the Built Environment)

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32 pages, 2334 KiB

Open AccessReview

Adaptability of Buildings: A Critical Review on the Concept Evolution

by Rand Askar, Luís Bragança and Helena Gervásio

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(10), 4483; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11104483 - 14 May 2021

Cited by 44 | Viewed by 21863

Abstract

Our ever-evolving built environment is continuously facing emerging needs for housing, work, health, and mobility, among others. Yet, buildings are usually designed and set up as finished permanent objects, reflecting the one constant scenario in mind of defined form, function, and performance. Since change is increasingly inevitable in our life, enlarging buildings’ adaptive capacities in response to arising variables and changing conditions over their lifecycle becomes a necessity in seeking global sustainability demands. The concept of building adaptability has been a notable subject in this respect, increasingly stimulating and proposing regenerative alternatives to today’s often obsolete buildings. This paper critically reviews the existing body of knowledge on the concept of adaptability in building research. The main focus is made on the evolution of the concept interpretations and related paradigms, and on the development of its applications and strategies in the light of promoting models and trends. Drawing on the literature as a source of evidence, the paper analyzes and classifies the content of existing studies published in scientific journals and gray literature, focusing on a timeframe from 2015 up-to-date. Moreover, the paper aims to build a constructive discussion to identify potential gaps between the actual state of the art and emerging needs, which should be addressed by further research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Re-Design of the Built Environment)

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