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State-of-the-art in the use of Generative System Models in the Built Environment
No full textThe challenge of optimizing design in the built environment lies in evaluating a wide range of potential options to achieve sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective outcomes over the lifecycle of assets. Traditional methods struggle to generate and assess multiple design alternatives, limiting optimization effectiveness. Generative Systems Modeling (GSM) offers a promising approach by creating diverse, data-driven design options automatically. This literature review explores GSM’s use in built environment optimization, focusing on its objectives, processes, and applications, while identifying trends and areas for future development to enhance its impact on construction and infrastructure projects
Exploring Gain/Pain Share Mechanisms for Carbon Emission Reduction in the Australian Construction Industry: A Scoping Review
No full textThis study investigates the application of gain/pain share mechanisms to incentivize carbon emission reductions in the Australian construction industry, addressing a critical gap in sustainable construction practices. The research employs a scoping review methodology to explore existing literature on collaborative contract models, carbon reduction strategies, and incentive mechanisms. The objective of this study is to develop a conceptual gain/pain share model specifically designed to align financial incentives with carbon reduction goals in construction projects. Through thematic analysis of secondary sources, including peer-reviewed articles, industry reports, and policy documents, the study identifies key components necessary for an effective model, such as setting carbon baselines, defining reduction targets, and structuring gain/pain ratios. Findings highlight how the proposed model not only supports financial outcomes but also integrates measurable environmental objectives, providing a structured approach for incorporating carbon reduction targets into procurement and contract processes. While theoretical, the model offers significant implications for policymakers, contractors, and clients aiming to embed carbon-conscious practices in project delivery. Future research is recommended to empirically validate the model’s effectiveness in real-world applications, enhancing the construction sector\u27s contribution to achieving global carbon reduction goals
Global Stakeholder Perceptions of Circular Building Adaptability, Open Building Methodology and Mass Timber Construction: A Qualitative Study
Get PDFTo meet global carbon emissions reduction targets we need to adopt sustainable construction practices and transition toward a Circular Economy (CE). The present paper proposes a combination of CE-focused technologies, Circular Building Adaptability (CBA), Open Building (OB) and Mass Timber Construction (MTC) working in concert to support emissions reduction objectives. A total of 158 participants aged between 18 and 65+, from Europe (20%), North America/Canada (32%), South America (3%), Africa/South Africa (3%), Middles East (3%), Asia Pacific (36%) and Southeast Asia & Asia (45) provided open text-based reponses to survey items as part of a larger project. The sample predominately consisted of those who identified as male (87%) and worked as Engineers primarily from the Asia Pacific region and North America/Canada. The paper aimed to assess international construction industry stakeholders’ perceptions of CBA, OB and MTC in delivering a more sustainable construction solution for our built environments. Using a Braun and Clarke (2006) Thematic Analaysis, applying a pragmatist lens, themes interpreted from the data coalesce toward the primary objective of achieving carbon reduction and mitigating the negative environmental impacts of construction activities in the built environment. Themes included, Cost, Economic Barriers, and Market Dynamics Perceptions, Knowledge Gaps, and Education Sustainability, Carbon Reduction, and Environmental Impact, Regulatory and Safety Concerns, Adaptability and the Circular Economy, Open Building Approach and Social Implications. Evidence from the study indicates support for the concepts with participants articulating concerns regarding the adoption of novel construction solutions. The outcomes are discussed, and future research recommendations are offered
Research on sustainable regeneration design of slums under urbanization process--The Case of Male Slum in Rio de Janeiro
No full textAs global urbanisation accelerates, slums, as an important component of urban development, face challenges of resource scarcity, environmental degradation and social exclusion. This paper examines the causes of Brazilian slums and the historical evolution of Rio de Janeiro\u27s slums, discusses their unique historical context and social dynamics, and analyses examples of slum governance and practices from around the world to summarise design principles for sustainable slum regeneration. Taking Male, the third largest slum in Rio de Janeiro, as an example, we analyse the current environment, identify the key issues and challenges it faces, and propose design strategies such as the creation of a rich spatial corridor system, the upgrading of the public space environment, and the introduction of a shared community lifestyle to increase the number of places for people to engage in public activities, It also enhances the relationship between residents and the community, as well as their communication and interaction with each other, and seeks to promote social equity and environmental sustainability
Interpretable modelling of greenhouse environment through SINDy approach
No full textModelling of greenhouse environment is crucial for maintaining the optimal environment for crop growth. Digital twins are widely used in greenhouse modeling due to their real-time reflection of reality. However, most existing Digital twins for greenhouse are based on data-driven models. This method is highly dependent on the dataset and lacks interpretability and generalizability. In this study, a knowledge-infused data-driven model was built by using sparse identification of nonlinear dynamical systems (SINDy). We collected 1927 sets of environmental data from a solar greenhouse in the cold region of China during the period from 22 February to 28 February 2024, and identified the predictive model from the measured data and physical knowledge. Comparing with the data-driven model, the SINDy model is more interpretable. Comparing with the physics-based model, the SINDy model is more concise and accurate, with the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of only 5.7% from the measured values. This has important implications for greenhouse control
Open Building and its Implementation in Architectural Education: from Reality and Practice to Pedagogy
Get PDFThe open buildings movement was one of the important architectural movements in the late 20th century. Open buildings have significantly contributed to the criticism of modernism and promoted sustainable architecture. However, the teaching concepts and methodology of open buildings still need to be integrated into traditional architectural design methods. In this work, a design course is introduced and analyzed on the basis of a joint teaching program with three universities in China. This study aims to demonstrate a set of teaching methodologies for students to experience the concepts of stability and mobility in design. The study first introduces the objectives, contents, and sequential process of the course. Then, an evaluation framework is introduced to this design course. The paper analyzes how the pedagogy of the course is deeply rooted in theories, practices, and precedents of teaching methods in the field of open buildings. Finally, the significance of changing architectural design courses and the potential for improvement are highlighted
Metaverse and gamification in civil engineering teaching: Case studies, synergies and practical applications
Get PDFThe integration of gamification and metaverse-based teaching presents a transformative approach to civil engineering education, addressing the demand for digital, innovative and collaborative skills. By leveraging gamification’s ability to enhance motivation, engagement and comprehension, alongside the immersive, accessible, and practical nature of metaverse environments, these methods can significantly improve learning outcomes. Two case studies from German universities highlight the distinct and complementary benefits of these approaches. Gamification fosters intrinsic motivation, deepens understanding of technical concepts, and enhances collaboration through game-based elements. Meanwhile, the metaverse facilitates realistic simulations, time- and location-independent learning, and the practical application of theoretical knowledge. Combined, these methods offer synergistic advantages that create engaging, future-oriented learning experiences and support the development of critical skills. While the potential of this combination is clear, challenges remain, including implementation costs, digital literacy gaps and accessibility barriers. Further research is essential to refine these methods, explore their application across diverse contexts, and ensure their scalability in resource-constrained environments. This innovative combination of gamification and metaverse-based teaching holds promise for reshaping civil engineering education to meet the evolving demands of the field
Critical ESG Assessment Criteria for Public-Private Partnership Projects: A Pareto Analysis of Literature
Get PDFAttempts to develop targeted industry-to-industry Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) assessment criteria have become a daunting task. However, these assessment criteria are critical for investment decision in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects. The need for a clear definition of ESG criteria and measurement metrics has been a topical research need after the covid 19 pandemic. This study presents a comprehensive look at ESG assessment criteria that focuses on PPP projects by presenting 35 criteria that are realised in literature. This study has used a systematic literature review and pareto analysis to investigate this matter. Critical environmental, social and governance practices of projects are outlined in this study. A check list for ESG assessment has been presented and a pareto analysis has been used to identify critical ESG criteria from the check lists. The study showed that the long-term environmental impact of infrastructure development projects has an impact on ecosystems, green solid waste reduction and natural resource conservation. Attributes critical to social sustainability in PPP projects were identified to be prioritising worker health and safety, using effective PPP tendering and awarding through stakeholder engagement. The governance aspect of PPP sustainability practices also place emphasis on significant defined plan for reaching commercial and financial close of a project, using improved supply chain planning process, and ensuring due diligence with tender documents and drafted PPP contracts. These criteria will serve as the foundation for investors decision making in PPP projects
Unlocking the Possibilities of Blockchain in Procurement and Management of Building Services Systems
No full textBuilding Services Systems (BSS) are fundamental to ensure a comfortable and safe living environment in buildings. These systems involve significant stakeholder engagement, lengthy lifecycles, and substantial financial investments, necessitating a systematic Procurement and Management (PM) approach to handle their inherent complexity. While Blockchain Technology (BT) has been proposed for various construction applications, its potential in BSS remains unexplored. This paper addresses this gap by identifying issues in the PM of BSS, categorizing them according to the RIBA Plan of Work 2020, and proposing a BT-based framework to resolve these issues. A scoping review method was conducted using Scopus and Web of Science databases. A critical review of 102 carefully selected publications revealed the top 30 PM-related issues, including six recurring issues across all stages; over-involvement of stakeholders, lack of trust, difficulty in exchanging data, lack of transparency, lack of collaboration and delays in approvals. 11 key features of BT were identified; accountability, proper history records, high audibility, integrity, anonymity, disintermediation, easy data extraction, verification, distributed shareability, immutability, and security. A conceptual framework was developed, mapping the identified issues against BT features to demonstrate how BT can address the PM issues in BSS. This framework guides the development of a prototype for implementing BT in the PM of BSS in future research stages
Integrating Future Energy Scenarios in Building Life Cycle Assessments: Applying Dynamic LCA to Two University Buildings
Get PDFThe urgency to address climate change necessitates an understanding of embodied energy in the built environment, particularly the importance of accounting for future energy scenarios to ensure sustainable construction practices align with the evolving energy landscape. As buildings increasingly reduce their operational energy consumption, the study of embodied energy becomes crucial, highlighting the environmental impact of construction materials and processes over the building\u27s lifecycle. Traditional Life Cycle Assessment methodologies, which predominantly rely on static current data, fail in accurately assessing the environmental impact of buildings over their extensive life spans of 75-100 years. Our research addresses these shortcomings by utilizing a Dynamic Life Cycle Assessment (DLCA) framework that integrates future scenarios of energy mixes to calculate the future embodied energy and carbon impacts of building materials, systems, and services. This method enhances our understanding of the long-term environmental footprint of buildings, paving the way for more sustainable construction practices. To illustrate the effectiveness of the DLCA framework, we present a case study of two university buildings. This demonstration projects the future embodied energy and carbon emissions for these buildings for the years 2030, 2050, and 2080, employing the Input Output Hybrid model data. Through this analysis, we aim to reveal not only the evolving environmental impact of these buildings over time but also to highlight the differences between the embodied impacts of the two buildings. This study reinforces the capability of DLCA framework to steer construction practices towards sustainability in buildings