European Research Center for Social Development

Tag: Sustainable Construction

  • A Bibliometric Review of Research on Sustainable Construction, 1994–2018

    A Bibliometric Review of Research on Sustainable Construction, 1994–2018

    How did we get from simple recycling to the complex “Smart Cities” of nowadays? This bibliometric study provides a bird’s-eye view of the entire global body of research on Sustainable Construction from 1994 to 2018.

    By analyzing thousands of academic papers, the authors demonstrate that the fields is no longer a “niche” area of engineering, but a mature, multidisciplinary science that has grown exponentially in both volume and complexity.

    The study highlights that while the early years were dominated by a “technical-fix” mindset (focusing mostly on waste and materials) modern research has evolved to prioritize lifecycle thinking and integrated technology.

    The findings identify the most influential researchers, institutions, and journals that have shaped the industry, providing a definitive “state of the art” for anyone looking to understand where the constructions industry has been and where it is headed in the fight against climate change.

    Learn more about this review here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.120073

    Reference

    Det Udomsap, A., & Hallinger, P. (2020). A bibliometric review of research on sustainable construction, 1994–2018. Journal of Cleaner Production, 254, 120073

  • Innovative Insulation Materials: A Comprehensive Review of Current Trends, Challenges, and Future Directions in Sustainable Building Technologies

    Innovative Insulation Materials: A Comprehensive Review of Current Trends, Challenges, and Future Directions in Sustainable Building Technologies

    The quest for the perfect building envelope has moved far beyond simple foam or fiberglass; it is now at the cutting edge of material science and digital manufacturing.

    This research redefines how we should view insulation, shifting the focus from mere energy conservation to a “quadruple-bottom-line” approach that weighs environmental, health, and economic impacts alongside thermal performance.

    The study aims to map the radical evolution of these materials, moving from basic sound and heat barriers to “active” solutions that literally reshape our living environments.

    The authors employ a comprehensive review methodology, classifying materials into traditional, bio-based, and advanced “smart” categories. They specifically analyze how digitalization and nanotechnology are transforming production, allowing for the creation of liquid insulation and bio-based composites that offer a much lower carbon footprint than their petroleum-based predecessors.

    The findings highlight that emerging nanotechnology-enabled and adaptive insulation technologies don’t just reduce greenhouse gas emissions; they also fundamentally improve indoor air quality and occupant health.

    Ultimately, the study concludes that as we face accelerating climate change, these advanced insulation materials will be the “quiet heroes” of sustainable construction, proving that the future of building technology is as much about what is inside our walls as what is on top of them.

    Learn more about this study here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/25740881.2025.2472378

    Reference

    Erzen, B., Karataş, M., Orhan, R., & Aydoğmuş, E. (2025). Innovative Insulation Materials: A Comprehensive Review of Current Trends, Challenges, and Future Directions in Sustainable Building Technologies. Polymer-Plastics Technology and Materials, 64(10), 1538–1561

  • Sustainable Material Choice for Construction Projects: A Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment Framework based on BIM and Fuzzy-AHP

    Sustainable Material Choice for Construction Projects: A Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment Framework based on BIM and Fuzzy-AHP

    Sustainability in construction is often misunderstood as a purely environment goal, neglecting the vital social and economic dimensions of a project.

    This research addresses this gap by proposing a decision-making framework that allows construction professionals to evaluate material choices through a Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA). By integrating this assessment with Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA), the framework provides a scientifically rigorous way to choose materials that perform well across the entire triple bottom line.

    The study explicitly utilizes The Fuzzy Analitic Hierarchy Process to manage the inherent subjectivity and uncertainty involved in weighing different sustainability goals. Validated through a residential building case study, the frameworks tracks impacts from the initial construction phase through to the end-of-life.

    For the modern developer, this paper offers a practical methodology to move beyond “greenwashing” and ensure that material selection is grounded in holistic, data-driven sustainability.

    Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.107805

    Reference

    Figueiredo, K., Pierott, R., Hammad, A. W. A., & Haddad, A. (2021). Sustainable material choice for construction projects: A Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment framework based on BIM and Fuzzy-AHP. Building and Environment, 196, 107805

  • Fundamentals of Building Deconstruction as a Circular Economy Strategy for the Reuse of Construction Materials

    Fundamentals of Building Deconstruction as a Circular Economy Strategy for the Reuse of Construction Materials

    Is the end of a building’s life actually an opportunity? This research reframes “deconstruction” as the backbone of a circular urban future. While traditional demolition is fast and cheap, it hides a massive environmental cost in the form of landfill waste and lost resources.

    By adopting a strategy of Selective Dismantlement, the construction industry can recover valuable materials for immediate reuse or repurposing.

    The study proposes a set of universal principles that apply to any construction system, emphasizing that the potential for a building to be “recycled” is decided the moment it is designed.

    For modern cities to meet their sustainability goals, we must move beyond the “linear” model of consumption and start viewing our built environment as a rotating inventory of materials. This paper provides the foundational “how-to” for turning that vision into a standard industrial practice.

    Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.3390/app11030939

    Reference

    Bertino, G., Kisser, J., Zeilinger, J., Langergraber, G., Fischer, T., & Österreicher, D. (2021). Fundamentals of Building Deconstruction as a Circular Economy Strategy for the Reuse of Construction Materials. Applied Sciences, 11(3), 939

  • Sustainable and Resilient Construction: Current Status and Future Challenges

    Sustainable and Resilient Construction: Current Status and Future Challenges

    The construction industry is at a crossroads. Recognized by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) as a sector that must change, it faces the dual challenge of reducing its massive carbon footprint while simultaneously building structures that can survive an increasingly volatile climate.

    This editorial review of 34 studies reveals that the transition to “Green Construction” is not just technologically possible, it is economically viable.

    The research bridges the gap between hight-tech solutions (like BIM-driven waste reduction) and social sciences insights (like the power of collaborative leadership).

    It argues that we cannot just look at the individual buildings, we must look at entire urban plans through a holistic lens.

    Ultimately, the paper calls for an “invigorated research focus” on adaptation. It reminds us that while we have made great strides in sustainability, ou true future challenge lies in resilience, designing a built environment that can protect and support human society in an uncertain world.

    Learn more about this review here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.122264

    Reference

    Murtagh, N., Scott, L., & Fan, J. (2020). Sustainable and resilient construction: Current status and future challenges. Journal of Cleaner Production, 268, 122264