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Integrated Urban Regeneration to Transform Sustainable and Resilient Built Environments from Circular Economy Principles

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2023) | Viewed by 14047

Special Issue Editors

Departamento Construcciones Arquitectónicas I, Higher Technical School of Architecture, University of Seville, 41012 Seville, Spain
Interests: building renovation and urban regeneration; sustainable construction systems; indoor and outdoor environmental quality in Architecture; the promotion of multidisciplinary decision support systems towards the efficient management in the built environment
Departamento de Ingeniería Civil, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería de Caminos, Canales y Puertos, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
Interests: sustainable, resilient and climate change adapted building within the framework of the circular economy; promotion of multidisciplinary decision support systems towards the efficient management in the built environment
Institute of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Sciences, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile
Interests: The main research fields are focused on topics related with Energy Efficiency in Building, Building Energetics, Building Climatology and Climate Change

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The management of urban environments and building stock is one of the most transcendental challenges at the international level throughout this 21st century, due to its impact and incidence on the social, economic and environmental development of any country. Beyond the multiple opportunities and benefits that the built environment can provide, there are counterproductive aspects that nowadays generate the adversities of climate change, the extraction of natural resources, the generation of waste and social inequality. Additionally, there are problems related to health and well-being, the risk of collapse induced by natural disasters, and the expected impacts of global warming.

Given these circumstances, global policies are currently implementing guidelines that imply the need to regenerate cities and buildings. The aim is to promote resilient spaces, both inside and outside the building stock, capable of integrating new sustainable strategies and optimizing the use of resources to improve the quality of life of users during the life cycle. In short, through the different publications, the use of renewal strategies that involve the incorporation of sustainable patterns, economic affordability, ensuring the return on investment, and other benefits should be encouraged to generate an effective and comprehensive transition in all areas of the city. For all these reasons, those studies that provide financial support for innovative ideas and products, as well as social perceptions, demands and user preferences when it comes to adapting and regenerating their traditional neighborhoods, will be of great affinity with the established topic.

The editors are delighted to receive for this special issue numerous research studies that address a wide range of urban regeneration and building renovation issues, from multidisciplinary approaches that consider sustainability, resilience, and circular economy criteria as key patterns to apply and promote in the built environment. This special issue is designed so that the authors bring together different papers that contribute to promoting sustainable cities and an efficient transformation to the new requirements of the 21st century, in its multiple influencing disciplines: Technical, constructive, economic, social, attitudinal, among others.

The type of paper is flexible and open, being able to accept systematic literature reviews, contributions and analyses on sustainability, resilience, or circular economy criteria, theoretical research or practical applications on case studies, critiques and reflections on policy-making and urban agendas, multi-dimensional assessment models for decision-making tools, between other approaches. Research areas may include (but not limited to) the following:

  • Urban regeneration strategies from different a sustainable, resilient, and multidisciplinary approach.
  • Multi-scale assessment models for diagnosing the building stock and the urban planning.  
  • Weighted assessment models for decision-making that promote an efficient urban regeneration and ensure the adaption of the built environment to climate change. 
  • Multidisciplinary studies that address the management of building renovation from different socioeconomic contexts.
  • Level(s) as a common language for incorporating sustainability indicators in buildings.
  • Circular economy applied to the built environment.

We look forward to receiving your contributions with enthusiasm and with the certainty that this special issue will bring a significant impact and scientific dissemination.

Dr. Antonio Serrano-Jiménez
Dr. Carmen Díaz-López
Dr. Konstantin Verichev
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

  • urban regeneration
  • building renovation
  • resilience
  • sustainability
  • climate change adaptation
  • level(s)
  • circular economy
  • heat island effect
  • environmental quality
  • built environment
  • decision support systems
  • decision-making
  • urban management

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 5643 KiB  
Article
Renewable Energy Sources in the Residential Property Market, Exemplified by the City of Krakow (Poland)
by Elżbieta Jasińska, Edward Preweda and Piotr Łazarz
Sustainability 2023, 15(10), 7743; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15107743 - 09 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1130
Abstract
Krakow has a permanent population of over 800,000. The number of inhabitants is increasing year on year due to the influx of working people and students, who often settle in Krakow permanently. This is leading to increased demand and consequently more flats and [...] Read more.
Krakow has a permanent population of over 800,000. The number of inhabitants is increasing year on year due to the influx of working people and students, who often settle in Krakow permanently. This is leading to increased demand and consequently more flats and houses being put into use by developers. The increasing environmental awareness of the population and the resulting financial benefits—particularly evident in 2022—have meant that the classic, or rather ill-considered, building industry is gradually being replaced by better, environmentally friendly solutions. In the first part of the article, the authors focus on smart buildings, and in the second part, they combine them with financial changes in the real estate market. The aim of the publication is to draw conclusions from the changes in the real estate market in Krakow that have taken place in the last decade and to assess these activities from the point of view of environmental solutions. The data are mainly derived from official statistics and trade reports published by research institutes, marketing agencies operating in the real estate sector in Poland, as well as specialist portals and publications dealing with real estate market analysis. The publication analyzes changes in the real estate market in terms of changes in unit prices, number of transactions, and availability. The analysis covers landed property, the primary and secondary premises market, developed property, and tenement buildings. Full article
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30 pages, 4672 KiB  
Article
A Study on the Parametric Design Parameters That Influence Environmental Ergonomics and Sustainability
by Dariel López-López, Antonio Serrano-Jiménez, Juan Gavilanes, Ferran Ventura-Blanch, Ángela Barrios-Padura and Carmen Díaz-López
Sustainability 2023, 15(7), 6304; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15076304 - 06 Apr 2023
Viewed by 2411
Abstract
The parametric design applied to the built environment is critical to creating sustainable and resilient spaces. However, this research field involves a vast and complex amount of disconnected information. Therefore, this paper aims to analyse research trends in applying parametric design to optimise [...] Read more.
The parametric design applied to the built environment is critical to creating sustainable and resilient spaces. However, this research field involves a vast and complex amount of disconnected information. Therefore, this paper aims to analyse research trends in applying parametric design to optimise sustainability and environmental ergonomics parameters in built environments. The following specific objectives are identified to meet this objective: (i) a quantitative analysis based on a systematic literature review; (ii) a qualitative review based on a performance analysis and scientific mapping; and (iii) a comparative analysis of case studies applying parametric language for the optimisation of sustainability and environmental ergonomics parameters. The 1045 research records covering 1974 to 2021 illustrate a field in development that evolves from early digital advances to climate change adaptations, the circular economy and resilience. It highlights the importance of applying bioclimatic techniques in the built environment, identifying the most optimised measures and encouraging the creation of guidelines to serve as a protocol for future studies, contributing to the existing body of knowledge by highlighting trends, establishing research themes, outlining research networks and suggesting areas for further studies. Full article
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24 pages, 4082 KiB  
Article
Maintenance Policies and Practices on Resilient Houses: Case Study from a Coastal Resilience Project in Vietnam
by Dinh Tuan Hai and Nguyen Kim Hoang
Sustainability 2023, 15(7), 5842; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15075842 - 28 Mar 2023
Viewed by 1259
Abstract
Vietnam is a country that experiences extreme climate conditions and annual accumulated damage due to typhoons and floods, which seriously destroy houses and cause many deaths. Approximately half a million people currently living within 200 m from the coastline live in unsafe houses. [...] Read more.
Vietnam is a country that experiences extreme climate conditions and annual accumulated damage due to typhoons and floods, which seriously destroy houses and cause many deaths. Approximately half a million people currently living within 200 m from the coastline live in unsafe houses. Therefore, the Coastal Resilience Project (the project) was implemented to build 4000 storm- and flood-resistant houses for five coastal provinces in Central Vietnam. The paper is carried out to review existing policies and practices related to the maintenance of resilient houses, as well as to propose feasible maintenance solutions for houses to ensure the sustainability of the project. The result shows that currently, there are no technical instructions or manuals on the maintenance and repair of individual houses in general, or the project houses in particular. Most of the households in the project also have very low and unstable incomes. In addition, as they lack knowledge of how construction works, they know little to nothing about the maintenance of a house. From these findings, the authors recommend several solutions for better maintenance policies and practices on the resilient houses of the project in Vietnam. The project provides several lessons in terms of the maintenance of the resilient houses of future projects in Vietnam and elsewhere, by reviewing existing policies and current practices, as well as proposing feasible measures to ensure the sustainability of the project. The findings in this paper provide valuable information for better maintenance policies and practices of resilient houses for other vulnerable coastal provinces in Vietnam and similar contexts elsewhere. Full article
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29 pages, 42012 KiB  
Article
Urban Regeneration and Touristification in the Sardinian Capital City of Cagliari, Italy
by Francesca Leccis
Sustainability 2023, 15(5), 4061; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15054061 - 23 Feb 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2049
Abstract
Regeneration agendas and inbound tourism flows have long been considered a remedy for economic crisis. In port cities, a prominent role in urban regeneration is played by the waterfronts, which have been undergoing radical makeovers worldwide since the 1960s. The city of Cagliari [...] Read more.
Regeneration agendas and inbound tourism flows have long been considered a remedy for economic crisis. In port cities, a prominent role in urban regeneration is played by the waterfronts, which have been undergoing radical makeovers worldwide since the 1960s. The city of Cagliari stuck to the same recipe, promoting a series of regeneration initiatives and implementing a series of policies to boost the tourism sector. This study combines the use of primary and secondary sources and the analysis of qualitative and quantitative data to create a useful picture of both current reality and historical development of the city. It demonstrated that development strategies promoted in Cagliari, rather than balancing tourism promotion and local community needs, contributed to the amplification and acceleration of the touristification process. Therefore, many of the challenges posed by overtourism, dread in the literature, are today faced by Cagliari and its inhabitants. In addition, the study also identifies in the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic a unique opportunity to reverse the touristification process and to achieve a sustainable manner of tourism development. Therefore, it offers some policy recommendations to define principled urban regeneration models, alternatives which are able to achieve urban revitalization while avoiding touristification. Full article
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16 pages, 5026 KiB  
Article
Promoting Sustainable and Resilient Constructive Patterns in Vulnerable Communities: Habitat for Humanity’s Sustainable Housing Prototypes in El Salvador
by Rosa Ana Jiménez-Expósito, Antonio Serrano-Jiménez, Pablo Fernández-Ans, Gianluca Stasi, Carmen Díaz-López and Ángela Barrios-Padura
Sustainability 2023, 15(1), 352; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15010352 - 26 Dec 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2212
Abstract
The global challenges regarding sustainability and the guarantee of minimum habitability requirements have led to the transformation of construction practices, where research has failed to achieve sufficient dissemination and findings. The purpose of this research is to promote sustainable and resilient patterns in [...] Read more.
The global challenges regarding sustainability and the guarantee of minimum habitability requirements have led to the transformation of construction practices, where research has failed to achieve sufficient dissemination and findings. The purpose of this research is to promote sustainable and resilient patterns in construction in vulnerable neighbourhoods in emerging countries by disseminating techniques and mechanisms through in situ transfer workshops and by raising awareness of the environmental importance of construction. Regarding materials and methods, this paper contributes innovative insights by combining training workshops and awareness-raising sessions to promote both environmental education and sustainable and optimised habits in construction. These methods are applied and tested in a real case study in El Salvador. Subsequent to carrying out a multi-disciplinary assessment analysis, the outcomes and results have led to the design of prototypes that have obtained a global EDGE certificate on sustainable construction and efficient use of resources once the users’ testimonies, weaknesses, and strengths have been addressed. The conclusions indicate that families, volunteers, and technical workers need to be trained by promoting environmental awareness in social housing and establishing a plan for dissemination to communicate across universities and public and private institutions in order to replicate guidelines across American dry-corridor countries. Full article
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18 pages, 7710 KiB  
Article
Innovative Rammed Earth Construction Approach to Sustainable Rural Development in Southwest China
by Li Wan, Edward Ng, Xiaoxue Liu, Lai Zhou, Fang Tian and Xinan Chi
Sustainability 2022, 14(24), 16461; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142416461 - 08 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2698
Abstract
Raw earth is the main material used in traditional architecture in Southwest rural China because it is inexpensive, accessible and exhibits remarkable thermal performance. However, local residents stopped implementing traditional rammed earth building technology because of several limitations. An innovative rammed earth construction [...] Read more.
Raw earth is the main material used in traditional architecture in Southwest rural China because it is inexpensive, accessible and exhibits remarkable thermal performance. However, local residents stopped implementing traditional rammed earth building technology because of several limitations. An innovative rammed earth construction approach suitable for Southwest rural China has been developed by One University One Village (1U1V) Team. The “local material, local technology, local labour” principle and the “high-science-low-technology” strategy has been used to improve the safety, quality and dignity of the living environment without adding substantial environmental load (negative aspects of environmental impact). The Terra Centre has been built in Kunming as the working base to research, promote, train and knowledge transfer. This holistic strategy creatively mended the long-term environmental, economic, and social sustainable development of poor rural areas and contributed to the local endogenous development significantly. It also responds to multiple targets of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Full article
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13 pages, 2052 KiB  
Article
An Approach for Water and Energy Savings in Public Buildings: A Case Study of Brazilian Rail Company
by Mariko Almeida Carneiro, Diogo Da Fonseca-Soares, Lucian Hendyo Max Pereira and Angel Firmín Ramos-Ridao
Sustainability 2022, 14(23), 15921; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142315921 - 29 Nov 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1091
Abstract
Water scarcity is a current problem in many parts of the planet and there is a worldwide concern about water availability to meet future water demand. In countries like Brazil, where most of the electricity is produced by hydroelectric power plants, water scarcity [...] Read more.
Water scarcity is a current problem in many parts of the planet and there is a worldwide concern about water availability to meet future water demand. In countries like Brazil, where most of the electricity is produced by hydroelectric power plants, water scarcity directly impacts energy production. The water–energy nexus is directly related and impacted by CO2 emissions and its climate consequences, which calls to a broader approach: energy–carbon–water nexus. In this context, the Sustainable Water and Energy Consumption (SWEC) Program was developed to mitigate water and energy supply problems in a railway company in Brazil. The actions took place in four main areas: (a) users conscientization, (b) consumption diagnosis, (c) indicators for evaluating water and energy consumption, and (d) evaluation of implementing alternative cleaner water and energy sources. The per capita consumption of water and energy were reduced by 10% and 19%, respectively. Permanent results were achieved by the SWEC Program, such as the acquisition of two photovoltaic systems with a total capacity of 96.5 kWp. The investment made provided an average monthly reduction in energy consumption of 56% in 2022. This work contributed to the UN Agenda 2030 and the findings may help companies and industries, and other institutions, such as universities and schools, to improve their water and electricity consumption. Full article
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