Search Results (183)

Climate change is intensifying the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, threatening the resilience of buildings and urban infrastructure. While technical solutions for climate adaptation in buildings are well documented, their economic viability remains a critical, yet underexplored, dimension of decision-making. This novel systematic review analyzes publications with an exclusive focus on climate adaptation strategies for buildings using cost-based evaluation methods. This review categorises the literature into three methodological clusters: Cost–Benefit Analysis (CBA), Life Cycle Costing (LCC), and alternative methods including artificial intelligence, simulation, and multi-criteria approaches. CBA emerges as the most frequently used and versatile tool, often applied to evaluate micro-scale flood protection and nature-based solutions. LCC is valuable for assessing long-term investment efficiency, particularly in retrofit strategies targeting energy and thermal performance. Advanced methods, such as genetic algorithms and AI-driven models, are gaining traction but face challenges in data availability and transparency. Most studies focus on residential buildings and flood-related hazards, with a growing interest in heatwaves, wildfires, and compound risk scenarios. Despite methodological advancements, challenges persist—including uncertainties in climate projections, valuation of non-market benefits, and limited cost data. This review highlights the need for integrated frameworks that combine economic, environmental, and social metrics, and emphasises the importance of stakeholder-inclusive, context-sensitive decision-making. Ultimately, aligning building adaptation with financial feasibility and long-term sustainability is achievable through improved data quality, flexible methodologies, and supportive policy instruments. Full article

Turkey is in the process of developing national strategies to reach the NZEB standard. There is a gap in the literature regarding the life-cycle costs of the passive and active solutions that increase energy efficiency and have significant potential in the widespread adoption of the NZEB standard. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the economic feasibility of improvement alternatives for an existing building in Turkey. In accordance with the objectives involved in achieving NZEBs, national standards (TS 825-2008, TS 825-2024) and passive and active improvement strategies under the EnerPHit framework were identified, and a residential building located in Izmir, which is in a warm climate zone, was modelled using DesignBuilder (version 7.3.1.003) software. A comparison of the current configuration with those predicted by TS 825-2008, TS 825 2024, and EnerPHit indicates energy savings of 29%, 36%, and 54%, respectively. In addition, the benefit–cost ratios, payback periods, and life-cycle costs of the alternatives were determined. The lowest LCC was determined to be the USD 5.424 for the improved EnerPHit-compliant alternative using PV integration. Moreover, it was determined that achieving a plus-energy building is possible even when electric vehicles are charged in the improved building. In Turkey, the retrofitting of buildings similar to that of the case study into plus-energy buildings has been deemed economically viable, provided certain EnerPHit-compliant improvements are implemented. Full article

The Italian school building stock is largely outdated, with structural and technological inadequacies leading to low comfort and high energy consumption. Addressing this challenge requires large-scale renovation supported by an integrated, data-driven approach. This study conducted a nationwide analysis of over 40,000 school buildings. After incomplete or inconsistent records were filtered out, a refined subset was selected. Building forms were reconstructed by cross-referencing GIS data with multiple open data sources. Using supervised machine learning, the research identifies and classifies recurring morphological patterns to define a set of 3D school building archetypes. These archetypes are enriched with spatial configurations and physical characteristics aligned with national educational standards. The result is a macrotypological classification based on form, conceived as part of an operational tool to support policymakers, designers, and public administrations in selecting effective retrofit strategies. This contributes to the creation of large-scale national renovation strategies, as well as Renovation Roadmaps and Digital Building Logbooks in line with the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD IV), specifically tailored to the Italian context. The novelty of this work lies in its unprecedented scale and the use of AI to enable fast, replicable assessments of retrofit potential, thereby supporting informed decisions in energy-efficient renovation planning. Full article

Urban morphology is a critical determinant of photovoltaic (PV) potential in cities, yet current design practices rarely incorporate this relationship systematically. Existing studies often struggle to balance analytical precision with computational efficiency and to translate data-driven insights into practical design implementation, limiting the role of morphological optimization in zero-energy urban transitions. To address these challenges, this study develops a three-stage computational workflow: (1) a lightweight surrogate model that replaces computationally intensive physical simulations to efficiently quantify multidimensional morphological impacts on PV potential; (2) an optimization algorithm that integrates the surrogate model to identify optimal urban configurations; and (3) a design translation framework that converts analytical outputs into actionable planning strategies. A case study in Tianjin demonstrates the method’s effectiveness, identifying floor area ratio (FAR) as the most influential parameter (β = 0.969, p < 0.001) and deriving optimal morphological values (FAR = 4.02; Shape Coefficient = 0.23) which yield substantial PV potential improvements of 13.9%–56.9% in new developments and 8.0% in retrofit scenarios. This generalizable method offers planners and policymakers an evidence-based tool applicable across diverse urban contexts, advancing the integration of morphological and energy optimization in the pursuit of zero-energy cities. Full article

With the acceleration of global population aging, rural areas face particularly severe challenges due to youth outmigration and uneven resource distribution. Taking Jiashan Village in Wuhan as a case study, this research combines the planning–activity model of new time–geography with Maslow’s hierarchy of needs to investigate the behavioral and emotional characteristics of the elderly and their spatial adaptation requirements. Using GPS tracking of 30 participants, questionnaires (152 valid responses; 73.4% response rate), facial expression recognition, and the stated preference (SP) method, the study classified elderly lifestyles into four types: leisure-oriented, agricultural-labor-oriented, caregiving-oriented, and self-employment-oriented. The results show significant heterogeneity in spatial needs, social intensity, and emotional responses. A quantitative analysis using the multinomial logit model indicates that farmland optimization had the greatest positive utility (+1.5873), followed by the addition of new plazas and leisure facilities, both significantly enhancing satisfaction. A correlation analysis further revealed that prolonged use of farmland, parks, and walking paths was negatively correlated with satisfaction, underscoring the urgency of targeted renovations. On this basis, the study proposes a three-tiered demand framework of “local service–social interaction–personal value”, offering both theoretical support and practical strategies for multi-level and collaborative retrofitting of suburban rural public spaces, aiming to mitigate “aging depression” and promote urban–rural integration. Full article

There is an urgent need to implement sustainable solutions in the construction sector, particularly within the Peruvian context, where regulations on energy efficiency and building rehabilitation are still under development. This study addresses the energy and social rehabilitation of the Mercado Central in Lima, with the aim of identifying the most effective interventions from both energy and economic perspectives while promoting urban sustainability. A detailed assessment of the building’s original state—covering the thermal envelope and technical systems—was conducted, followed by fifty energy simulations using Ce3X© v.2.3. software. Based on the obtained energy rating, several envelopes and system improvements were proposed and evaluated in terms of energy savings, cost-effectiveness, and social benefits. The most advantageous option, Measure M9, combines interventions in roofs, openings, and installations. It achieved a global energy rating of 17.6 A, with a projected lifespan of 75 years and an investment of EUR 1,642,457.01, recoverable in just 1.4 years. The results highlight the potential of integrated retrofitting strategies to simultaneously improve energy performance and social impact. Measure M9 emerges as the most viable solution, providing a replicable model for sustainable urban rehabilitation in Peru and other regions facing similar challenges. Full article

Gulf cities have embarked on ambitious public transport infrastructure initiatives in recent decades to foster more livable and sustainable cities. This investigation explores the interpretations and implementation of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) principles in two prototypical urban districts: Doha’s West Bay, Qatar, and Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), Saudi Arabia. By following a comparative case study approach, the study explores how retrofitted (West Bay) and purpose-built (KAFD) TOD configurations fare regarding land use mix, density, connectivity, transit access, and environmental responsiveness. The comparative methodology was selected to specifically capture the spatial, climatic, and socio-economic complexities of TOD implementation in hyper-arid urban environments. Based on qualitative evidence from stakeholder interviews, spatial assessments, and geospatial indicators—such as metro access buffers, building shape compactness, and TOD proximity classification—the investigation reflects both common challenges and localized adaptations in hot-desert Urbanism. It emerges that, while benefiting from integrated planning and multimodal connectivity, KAFD’s pedestrian realm is delimited by climatic constraints and inactive active transport networks. West Bay, on the other hand, features fragmented public spaces and low TOD cohesion because of automotive planning heritages. However, it holds potential for retrofit through infill development and tactical Urbanism. The results provide transferable insights that can inform TOD strategies in other Gulf and international contexts facing similar sustainability and mobility challenges. By finalizing strategic recommendations for urban livability improvement through context-adaptive TOD approaches in Gulf cities, the study contributes to the wider discussion of sustainable Urbanism in rapidly changing environments and supplies a reproducible assessment frame for future TOD planning. This study contributes new knowledge by advancing a context-adaptive TOD framework tailored to the unique conditions of hyper-arid Gulf cities. Full article

To address the challenges of high fuel consumption and emissions in traditional diesel-powered inland law enforcement vessels, this study proposes a methanol–electric hybrid propulsion system retrofitted with a novel energy management strategy (EMS) based on the integration of Dynamic Programming (DP) and Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS). The DP-ANFIS algorithm combines the global optimization capability of DP with the real-time adaptability of ANFIS to achieve efficient power distribution. A high-fidelity simulation model of the hybrid system was developed using methanol engine bench test data and integrated with models of other powertrain components. The DP algorithm was used offline to generate an optimal control sequence, which was then learned online by ANFIS to enable real-time energy allocation. Simulation results demonstrate that the DP-ANFIS strategy reduces total energy consumption by 78.53%, increases battery state of charge (SOC) by 3.24%, decreases methanol consumption by 64.95%, and significantly reduces emissions of CO, HC, NOx, and CO₂ compared to a rule-based strategy. Hardware-in-the-loop tests confirm the practical feasibility of the proposed approach, offering a promising solution for intelligent energy management in marine hybrid propulsion systems. Full article

This study presents a detailed analysis of the energy performance and thermal comfort conditions in four existing school buildings located in Madrid, Spain. Dynamic simulations were conducted using TeKton3D—(iMventa Ingenieros, Málaga, Spain)- an open-source tool based on the EnergyPlus engine—to model four improvement scenarios: (I) current state, (II) envelope retrofitting with ETICS and high-performance glazing, (III) solar control strategies, and (IV) incorporation of mechanical ventilation with heat recovery. Each building was simulated under both current and projected 2050 climate conditions. The case studies were selected to represent different construction periods and urban contexts, including varying levels of exposure to the urban heat island effect. This approach allows the results to reflect the diversity of the existing school building stock and its different vulnerabilities to climate change. The results show that envelope retrofitting substantially reduces heating demand but may increase cooling needs, particularly under warmer future conditions. Solar control strategies effectively mitigate overheating, while mechanical ventilation with heat recovery contributes to improved comfort and overall efficiency. This study highlights the trade-offs between energy savings and indoor environmental quality, underlining the importance of integrated renovation measures. The study provides relevant data for decision-making in climate-resilient building renovation, aligned with EU goals for nearly zero and zero-emission buildings. Full article

Building renovation is widely recognised as a critical strategy for improving energy performance, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and meeting decarbonisation targets. Although numerous studies have explored retrofit interventions, the existing literature tends to focus on either specific climates or particular building types, lacking a consolidated perspective that links interventions to both climatic context and typological characteristics. This study addresses this gap through a structured literature review of recent scientific publications, aiming to map and categorise climate-sensitive retrofit strategies across different building typologies. The methodological approach involves a qualitative synthesis of peer-reviewed studies, with interventions classified based on climate zone and building use. The results highlight the prevalence of envelope-related measures—such as thermal insulation and high-performance glazing—in residential and educational buildings, particularly in colder climates. Conversely, HVAC upgrades and passive solutions dominate in hot and mixed zones. The findings provide an evidence-based reference for stakeholders involved in designing renovation strategies, while also identifying the need for more context-aware, integrative frameworks that account for climate, building use, and socio-economic factors in retrofit decision-making. Full article

The residential building sector is a major contributor to global energy consumption and carbon emissions, making retrofit strategies essential for meeting climate targets. While many studies focus on reducing operational energy, few comprehensively evaluate the trade-offs between operational savings and the embodied carbon introduced by retrofit measures. This study addresses this gap by developing an integrated, novel scenario-based assessment framework that combines dynamic energy simulation and life cycle assessment (LCA) to quantify whole life carbon impacts. Applied to representative Irish housing typologies, the framework evaluates thirty retrofit scenarios across three intervention levels: original fabric, shallow retrofit, and deep retrofit incorporating multiple HVAC technologies and envelope upgrades. Results reveal that while deep retrofits deliver up to 80.2% operational carbon reductions, they also carry the highest embodied emissions. In contrast, shallow retrofits with high-efficiency air-source heat pumps offer near-comparable energy savings with significantly lower embodied impacts. Comparative analysis confirms that reducing heating setpoints has a greater effect on energy demand than increasing system efficiency, especially in low-performance buildings. Over a 25-year lifespan, shallow retrofits outperform deep retrofits in overall carbon efficiency, achieving up to 76% total emissions reduction versus 74% for deep scenarios. Also, as buildings approach near-zero energy standards, the embodied carbon share increases, highlighting the importance of LCA in design decision-making. This study provides a scalable, evidence-based methodology for evaluating retrofit options and offers practical guidance to engineers, researchers, and policymakers aiming to maximize carbon savings across residential building stocks. Full article

The construction of buildings using shipping containers (SCs) is a way to extend their useful life. They are constructed by modifying the structure, thermal, and acoustic conditioning by improving the envelope and creating openings for lighting and ventilation purposes. This study explores the architectural adaptation of SCs to sustainable residential housing, focusing on structural, thermal, and acoustic performance. The project centers on a case study in Madrid, Spain, transforming four containers into a semi-detached, multilevel dwelling. The design emphasizes modular coordination, spatial flexibility, and structural reinforcement. The retrofit process includes the integration of thermal insulation systems in the ventilated façades and sandwich roof panels to counteract steel’s high thermal conductivity, enhancing energy efficiency. The acoustic performance of the container-based dwelling was assessed through in situ measurements of façade airborne sound insulation and floor impact noisedemonstrating compliance with building code requirements by means of laminated glazing, sealed joints, and floating floors. This represents a novel contribution, given the scarcity of experimental acoustic data for residential buildings made from shipping containers. Results confirm that despite the structure’s low surface mass, appropriate design strategies can achieve the required sound insulation levels, supporting the viability of this lightweight modular construction system. Structural calculations verify the building’s load-bearing capacity post-modification. Overall, the findings support container architecture as a viable and eco-efficient alternative to conventional construction, while highlighting critical design considerations such as thermal performance, sound attenuation, and load redistribution. The results offer valuable data for designers working with container-based systems and contribute to a strategic methodology for the sustainable refurbishment of modular housing. Full article

Natural cooling and ventilation have been fundamental principles in vernacular architecture for millennia, shaping sustainable building practices across diverse climatic regions. This paper examines the historical evolution, technological advancements, environmental benefits, and prospects of passive cooling strategies, with a particular focus on wind catchers. Originating in Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Caucasia, and Iranian architectural traditions, these structures have adapted over centuries to maximize air circulation, thermal regulation, and humidity control, ensuring comfortable indoor environments without reliance on mechanical ventilation. This study analyzes traditional wind catcher designs, highlighting their geometric configurations, airflow optimization, and integration with architectural elements such as courtyards and solar chimneys. Through a comparative assessment, this paper contrasts passive cooling systems with modern HVAC technologies, emphasizing their energy neutrality, low-carbon footprint, and long-term sustainability benefits. A SWOT analysis evaluates their strengths, limitations, opportunities for technological integration, and challenges posed by urbanization and regulatory constraints. This study adopts a comparative analytical method, integrating a literature-based approach with qualitative assessments and a SWOT analysis framework to evaluate passive cooling strategies against modern HVAC systems. Methodologically, the research combines historical review, typological classification, and sustainability-driven performance comparisons to derive actionable insights for climate-responsive design. The research is grounded in a comparative assessment of traditional and modern cooling strategies, supported by typological analysis and evaluative frameworks. Looking toward the future, the research explores hybrid adaptations incorporating solar energy, AI-driven airflow control, and retrofitting strategies for smart cities, reinforcing the enduring relevance of vernacular cooling techniques in contemporary architecture. By bridging historical knowledge with innovative solutions, this paper contributes to ongoing discussions on climate-responsive urban planning and sustainable architectural development. Full article

Local economic development (LED) strategies at the district level—such as sub-city or neighbourhood initiatives—play a crucial role in fostering sustainable and inclusive urban growth. This study explores the critical factors influencing LED and urban regeneration at the district scale, emphasising the integration of sustainability, digital technologies, inclusivity, energy efficiency, community engagement, and innovation into strategic planning. To prioritise these CFs, a tailored survey was distributed among a group of 13 city experts from European cities, involved in research projects focused on district-level quality-of-life enhancements through building retrofits, urban space interventions, energy community promotion, and technological deployment. By focusing on the district level, this research highlights the importance of tailoring strategies to local contexts and leveraging the unique characteristics of each neighbourhood. The findings reveal the need for local governments to enhance the capacity of administrative staff to engage citizens and direct external support for development projects. The normative recommendations derived from this study are specifically grounded in district-level research and practice, ensuring their applicability to sub-city areas. This paper concludes that a context-specific and collaborative approach is essential for achieving equitable and sustainable economic development at the district level. Full article

This study presents a high-performance external strengthening strategy for reinforced concrete (RC) beam–column joints, integrating near-surface mounted (NSM) Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (C-FRP) ropes with externally bonded C-FRP sheets. The X-shaped ropes, anchored diagonally on both principal joint faces and complemented by vertical ropes at column corners, provide enhanced core confinement and shear reinforcement. C-FRP sheets applied to the beam’s plastic hinge region further increase flexural strength and delay localized failure. Three full-scale, shear-deficient RC joints were subjected to cyclic lateral loading. The unstrengthened specimen (JB0V) exhibited rapid stiffness deterioration, premature joint shear cracking, and unstable hysteretic behavior. In contrast, the specimen strengthened solely with X-shaped C-FRP ropes (JB0VF2X2c) displayed a markedly slower rate of stiffness degradation, delayed crack development, and improved energy dissipation stability. The fully retrofitted specimen (JB0VF2X2c + C-FRP) demonstrated the most pronounced gains, with peak load capacity increased by 65%, equivalent viscous damping enhanced by 55%, and joint shear deformations reduced by more than 40%. Even at 4% drift, it retained over 90% of its peak strength, while localizing damage away from the joint core—a performance unattainable by the unstrengthened configuration. These results clearly establish that the combined C-FRP rope–sheet system transforms the seismic response of deficient RC joints, offering a lightweight, non-invasive, and rapidly deployable retrofit solution. By simultaneously boosting shear resistance, ductility, and energy dissipation while controlling damage localization, the technique provides a robust pathway to extend service life and significantly enhance post-earthquake functionality in critical structural connections. Full article