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Urban Sustainability: Sustainable Housing and Communities
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Urban Sustainability: Sustainable Housing and Communities

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Architectural Design, Urban Science, and Real Estate".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2024 | Viewed by 9933

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Daizhong Tang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Economics and Management, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
Interests: urban development and management; urban renewal; land resource management; real estate investment and development; smart cities; operations management

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As urbanization continues to accelerate globally, the quest for sustainable housing and communities has emerged as a pivotal research area. This domain intertwines environmental, social, and economic considerations in order to address the challenges posed by rapid urban growth. Sustainable housing and communities play crucial roles in fostering urban well-being, resource efficiency, and resilience. Currently, in the context of the stock development model, close attention must be paid to communities and residences, as the basic units of the city, in order to clarify the interests involved in the multi-theme process and designate scientific and effective policy guidelines to ensure the sustainable development of residences and communities and the well-being of the people. Against this backdrop, our SI aims to explore the scientific underpinnings of urban sustainability in the context of housing and communities, emphasizing the paramount importance of this research area.

The goal of this Special Issue is to curate a collection of original research articles and review papers that offer comprehensive insights into sustainable housing and communities. This initiative aligns seamlessly with the broader scope of our journal as we seek to contribute cutting-edge scholarship that advances our understanding of urban sustainability. Through the exploration of sustainable housing and community development, we aim to provide valuable knowledge to inform urban planning, policy making, and sustainable practices.

This Special Issue invites manuscripts connected with the following themes:

  • Innovative approaches to sustainable housing design;
  • Community engagement for sustainable urban development;
  • Renewable energy integration in urban housing;
  • Smart technologies for sustainable communities;
  • Policy frameworks and governance for urban sustainability;
  • Green infrastructure and urban planning.

Dr. Daizhong Tang
Guest Editor

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. Buildings is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 2600 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

  • sustainable housing
  • community engagement
  • policy optimization
  • urban sustainability
  • smart cities
  • multi-subject participation
  • urban planning

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review, Other

18 pages, 4260 KiB  
Article
Ecological Benefit Optimization and Design of Rural Residential Roofs Based on the “Dual Carbon” Goal
by Zhixiu Li, Yuyan Wang, Yihan Wang and Yangyang Wei
Buildings 2024, 14(12), 3715; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14123715 - 21 Nov 2024
Viewed by 270
Abstract
With the continuous advancement of urbanization, rural areas are facing increasingly severe environmental pollution, excessive energy consumption, and high carbonization resulting from both daily living and production activities. This study, which is aligned with the low-carbon objectives of “carbon sequestration increase and emissions [...] Read more.
With the continuous advancement of urbanization, rural areas are facing increasingly severe environmental pollution, excessive energy consumption, and high carbonization resulting from both daily living and production activities. This study, which is aligned with the low-carbon objectives of “carbon sequestration increase and emissions reduction”, explores the optimization strategies for ecological benefits through the combined application of rooftop photovoltaics and rooftop greening in rural residences. Three design approaches are proposed for integrating rooftop photovoltaics with green roofing: singular arrangement, distributed arrangement, and combined arrangement. Using PVsyst (7.4.7) software, this study simulates the effects of roof inclination, system output, and installation formats on the performance of photovoltaic systems, providing a comprehensive analysis of carbon reduction benefits in ecological rooftop construction. A rural area in East China was selected as a sample for adaptive exploration of ecological roof applications. The results of our research indicate that the optimal tilt angle for rooftop photovoltaic (PV) installations in the sample rural area is 17°. Based on simulations combining the region’s annual solar path and the solar parameters on the winter solstice, the minimum spacing for PV arrays is calculated to be 1.925 m. The carbon reduction benefits of the three arrangement methods are ranked, from highest to lowest, as follows: combined arrangement 14530.470tCO2e > singular arrangement 11950.761tCO2e > distributed arrangement 7444.819tCO2e. The integrated design of rooftop PV systems and green roofing not only meets the energy demands of buildings but also significantly reduces their carbon footprint, achieving the dual objectives of energy conservation and sustainable development. Therefore, the combined application of rooftop PV systems and green roofing in rural spaces can provide data support and strategic guidance for advancing green transformation and ecological civilization in East China, offering significant practical value for promoting low-carbon rural development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Sustainability: Sustainable Housing and Communities)
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23 pages, 16947 KiB  
Article
Research on Summer Hourly Climate-Influencing Factors in Suburban Areas of Cities in CFA Zone—Taking Chengdu, China as an Example
by Lei Sima, Yisha Liu, Jian Zhang and Xiaowei Shang
Buildings 2024, 14(10), 3083; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14103083 - 26 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 489
Abstract
Elevated temperatures in urban centers have become a common problem in cities around the world. However, the climate problems in suburban areas are equally severe; there is an urgent need to find zero-carbon ways to mitigate this problem. Recent studies have revealed the [...] Read more.
Elevated temperatures in urban centers have become a common problem in cities around the world. However, the climate problems in suburban areas are equally severe; there is an urgent need to find zero-carbon ways to mitigate this problem. Recent studies have revealed the thermal performance of vegetation, buildings, and water surfaces. They functioned differently regarding the climate at different periods of the day. Accordingly, this study synthesizes remote sensing technology and meteorology station observation data to deeply explore the differences in the role of each climate-influencing factor in the suburban areas of Chengdu. The land surface temperature (LST) and air temperature (Ta) were used as thermal environmental indicators, while the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), normalized difference water index (NDWI), normalized difference built-up index (NDBI), and altitude were used as environmental factors. The results showed that the relevant influences of the environmental factors on the climate in the sample areas were significantly affected by the time of the day. The NDVI (R2 = 0.5884), NDBI (R2 = 0.3012), and altitude (R2 = 0.5638) all showed strong correlations with Ta during the night (20:00–7:00), which gradually weakened after sunrise, yet the NDWI showed a poorer cooling effect during the night, which gradually strengthened after sunrise, reaching a maximum at 15:00 (R2 = 0.5012). One reason for this phenomenon was the daily weather changes. These findings facilitate the advancement of the understanding of the climate in suburban areas and provide clear directions for further thermal services targeted towards people in different urban areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Sustainability: Sustainable Housing and Communities)
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33 pages, 119299 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Age-Friendly Retrofits for Urban Communities in China Using a Social–Ecological–Technological Systems Framework
by Hui Zeng, Jinwei Zhu, Hanxi Lin, Peiyi Fan and Ting Qiu
Buildings 2024, 14(7), 2074; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14072074 - 7 Jul 2024
Viewed by 948
Abstract
To address the problem of accurately evaluating age-friendly retrofit indicators in urban communities, this study constructs an evaluation model that takes into account user preferences and their interaction needs based on the social–ecological–technological systems (SETS) theory. The model aims to establish a set [...] Read more.
To address the problem of accurately evaluating age-friendly retrofit indicators in urban communities, this study constructs an evaluation model that takes into account user preferences and their interaction needs based on the social–ecological–technological systems (SETS) theory. The model aims to establish a set of precise community retrofit indicators, covering aspects such as public participation level, public ancillary facilities, green space layout, living environment building, health service support, and accessible design. By employing prioritization strategies, the model seeks to maximize resident satisfaction and promote harmonious coexistence between the community and the environment. Firstly, the retrofit evaluation indicators are formulated using the SETS theory. The entropy weight method (EWM) is then applied to determine the initial weights of these evaluation indicators, followed by the use of the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method to analyze the interrelationships among the indicators. The Kano model is integrated to adjust the weights, reflecting their importance. The final weights of the indicators are determined through normalization. Based on this, the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method is employed to rank and analyze the importance of age-friendly retrofits in the community. Finally, six communities in Dalian, Liaoning Province, China, are selected as samples to evaluate and analyze the age-friendly retrofit indicators. Different methods are compared, and their advantages and disadvantages are ranked to validate the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed approach. Based on the analysis results, specific design schemes for improving the identified shortcomings in age-friendly aspects of these communities are proposed, considering the needs of aging populations and taking into account community public facilities, accessible design renovations, and the enhancement of green space layouts. This study aims to explore the comprehensive benefits of an age-friendly retrofit in urban communities and provide reference for the deep integration of social, ecological, and technological benefits in urban renewal. The evaluation indicators, methods, and conclusions presented can serve as a decision-making basis for the renovation and renewal of aging urban communities, particularly in terms of age-friendly updates. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Sustainability: Sustainable Housing and Communities)
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13 pages, 2790 KiB  
Article
Exploring the Spatially Heterogeneous Effects of Street-Level Perceived Qualities on Listed Real Estate Prices Using Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) Modeling
by Rui Wang, Guoqin Zhang, Yu Zhang and Yanzhe Lan
Buildings 2024, 14(7), 1982; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14071982 - 1 Jul 2024
Viewed by 951
Abstract
The listed price of real estate is a subjective reflection of its value by sellers, usually related to structural, neighborhood, and environmental attributes. Although previous studies have proposed the hedonic pricing model, factors related to perception are rarely seen in explanatory variables. This [...] Read more.
The listed price of real estate is a subjective reflection of its value by sellers, usually related to structural, neighborhood, and environmental attributes. Although previous studies have proposed the hedonic pricing model, factors related to perception are rarely seen in explanatory variables. This study aims to explore the impact of street-level perceived qualities on the listed price per square meter of plot set by the seller of the real estate using the Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR)-based hedonic pricing model and analyzes the spatially heterogeneous effects of the coefficients. In the city of Eindhoven, the Netherlands, Google Street View photos collected at 200 m intervals were employed to calculate representative variables of perceptual quality via a validated convolutional neural network, alongside structural and neighborhood attributes. The final model includes eight explanatory variables, and the results indicate that, apart from the plot area and the number of rooms, the influencing mechanisms of other factors are different. The impact of perceived beautiful quality on listed real estate prices demonstrates obvious distinctions between the north and the south. Perceived livability (positive) and depressing (negative) qualities show similar heterogeneous characteristics. This study offers a comprehensive approach to promote diverse strategies for real estate development across urban areas and recommends a heightened emphasis on the design quality of residential streets. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Sustainability: Sustainable Housing and Communities)
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23 pages, 1122 KiB  
Article
Structural Estimates of Supply and Demand Elasticity for Houses in Sydney
by Xiangling Liu and Glenn Otto
Buildings 2024, 14(7), 1926; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14071926 - 24 Jun 2024
Viewed by 953
Abstract
We report estimates of supply and demand elasticities for houses (i.e., non-strata properties) in three geographic locations of Sydney. In the Inner Ring of Local Government Areas (LGAs)—those closest to the Central Business District (CBD)—our estimates indicate that the supply curve for houses [...] Read more.
We report estimates of supply and demand elasticities for houses (i.e., non-strata properties) in three geographic locations of Sydney. In the Inner Ring of Local Government Areas (LGAs)—those closest to the Central Business District (CBD)—our estimates indicate that the supply curve for houses is perfectly inelastic. This finding allows us to condition on the stock of houses and estimate the corresponding Inner Ring demand curve using ordinary least squares. In the Middle and Outer Rings—where the supply curve for houses has positive elasticity—we use instrumental variables to estimate the demand curve for houses. For all three locations, we obtain theoretically reasonable point estimates of standard demand elasticities, although the degree of uncertainty surrounding the Outer Ring estimates is relatively large. Averaging across the three regions of Sydney, the price elasticity of demand for houses is −1.3, cross-price elasticity with units is 1.1, and income elasticity is 2.1. Based on our elasticity estimates, only in the Outer Ring are any of the direct burdens of stamp duty born by buyers (about 40 percent). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Sustainability: Sustainable Housing and Communities)
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18 pages, 11929 KiB  
Article
Optimizing Public Space in High-Rise Residences: A Whole Life Cycle Perspective with Kruskal Algorithm—A Case Study of a Shanghai High-Rise Residential Project
by Jingwen Li, Yaodong Han, Qinyi Li and Daizhong Tang
Buildings 2024, 14(6), 1769; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14061769 - 12 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 776
Abstract
In response to the intensification of urbanization, characterized by increasingly dense land use, the proliferation of high-rise residences has emerged as a predominant housing solution, particularly evident in developed cities like those in China. With a primary aim of enhancing the residential living [...] Read more.
In response to the intensification of urbanization, characterized by increasingly dense land use, the proliferation of high-rise residences has emerged as a predominant housing solution, particularly evident in developed cities like those in China. With a primary aim of enhancing the residential living environment within high-rise structures, this study advocates for a comprehensive whole life cycle perspective. By employing digital technology and conducting experiments centered on a representative case study, this paper focuses on optimizing the functional layout of public activity spaces within high-rise residential projects. Specifically, this article aims to address challenges such as the inadequate configuration and articulation of various public spaces, along with the underutilization of peripheral activity areas. Central to the optimization efforts is the utilization of the Kruskal algorithm, which enables the analysis of flow lines and functions, ultimately leading to the derivation of optimal solutions. Through a detailed analysis of our case study, this paper provides actionable insights into enhancing the feasibility and effectiveness of public spaces within high-rise residential projects. Recognizing the pivotal role of public space layout in shaping residents’ living experiences, the importance of addressing this issue early in the design phase was emphasized. By integrating scientifically driven digital technology solutions, smart, inclusive, and convenient communities that cater to the diverse needs of their inhabitants are aspired to be created. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Sustainability: Sustainable Housing and Communities)
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23 pages, 6244 KiB  
Article
Emotional Landscapes in Urban Design: Analyzing Color Emotional Responses of the Elderly to Community Outdoor Spaces in Yi Jie Qu
by Chengyan Zhang, Youjia Chen, Bart Julien Dewancker, Chaojie Shentu, Hao Tian, Yutong Liu, Jiangjun Wan, Xinyue Zhang and Jinghui Li
Buildings 2024, 14(3), 793; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14030793 - 14 Mar 2024
Viewed by 1827
Abstract
Addressing the emotional needs of the elderly in urban space design has increasingly become a vital concern. This study innovatively integrates emotional theories with the design of community outdoor spaces, thereby expanding the research on emotional categorization in urban spaces. At 8 community [...] Read more.
Addressing the emotional needs of the elderly in urban space design has increasingly become a vital concern. This study innovatively integrates emotional theories with the design of community outdoor spaces, thereby expanding the research on emotional categorization in urban spaces. At 8 community outdoor space sites in Yi Jie Qu, China, 330 elderly residents were randomly recruited to assess their color emotional responses (CER) to the color landscapes of these spaces. Based on the Affective Circumplex Model and Japanese Color Image Theory, a Color Emotion Circumplex was constructed to visually represent the overall emotional tendencies and significant positive emotions of the elderly. The second innovation of this research lies in exploring the driving factors behind positive emotional responses of the elderly, the primary user group of community outdoor spaces. We analyzed the significant differences in CER between autumn and winter scenes, employing variance analysis, correlation, and regression to investigate the substantial effects of individual factors and color characteristics on positive CER. The study discovered that the elderly exhibit a stronger CER towards clean and healthy emotions. Notably, CER was more pronounced in autumn scenes compared to winter. Furthermore, educational level, visit frequency, and color brightness positively influenced positive CER, whereas walking time from residence and the color area ratios of blue and gray negatively impacted CER. These findings not only provide a theoretical basis for age-friendly color design in community spaces, but also offer new perspectives and practical guidance for the international community planning and design domain. Our research underscores the importance of incorporating the emotional needs of the elderly into urban space design, offering novel theoretical and practical guidance for future urban planning and community design. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Sustainability: Sustainable Housing and Communities)
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Review

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18 pages, 3384 KiB  
Review
A Literature Review of Green Building Policies: Perspectives from Bibliometric Analysis
by Junyang Ye, Yunlong Fanyang, Jingyi Wang, Shibo Meng and Daizhong Tang
Buildings 2024, 14(9), 2607; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14092607 - 23 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1482
Abstract
This paper conducts a bibliometric analysis of 2875 articles on green building published between 2014 and 2024, followed by a systematic literature review on green building policies inspired by the findings from the bibliometric analysis. The study employs the bibliometric software CiteSpace 6.3 [...] Read more.
This paper conducts a bibliometric analysis of 2875 articles on green building published between 2014 and 2024, followed by a systematic literature review on green building policies inspired by the findings from the bibliometric analysis. The study employs the bibliometric software CiteSpace 6.3 to analyze co-occurrence networks and identify research hotspots, determining key research trends, influential authors, institutions, and journals, thus providing a comprehensive overview of the field. Innovatively, it comprehensively analyzes the development of green building policies from the perspectives of life cycle and policy mechanisms, integrating life cycle assessment (LCA) into policy-making. The findings emphasize the importance of combining regulatory measures, financial incentives, and tailored regional approaches to promote sustainable construction and achieve long-term environmental goals, addressing the urgent need for sustainable building practices driven by global climate change and carbon neutrality goals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Sustainability: Sustainable Housing and Communities)
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Other

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11 pages, 837 KiB  
Opinion
Fostering Social Sustainability: Inclusive Communities through Prefabricated Housing
by Parisa Ziaesaeidi and Ehsan Noroozinejad Farsangi
Buildings 2024, 14(6), 1750; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14061750 - 11 Jun 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1355
Abstract
Over the last decade, many major cities have experienced a housing crisis to keep pace with patterns of urban population growth. Housing continues to face many challenges such as land use, regulatory issues, and environmental issues. In recent years, new housing research has [...] Read more.
Over the last decade, many major cities have experienced a housing crisis to keep pace with patterns of urban population growth. Housing continues to face many challenges such as land use, regulatory issues, and environmental issues. In recent years, new housing research has also revealed that prefabricated housing could indirectly be a solution to environmental issues, as the housing sector has observed an increase in demand for eco-friendly housing solutions. However, while prefabricated housing can be a solution to issues of environmental concerns, it still needs more research to explore its influence on social sustainability. Therefore, this opinion paper investigates how socially sustainable communities could be feasible and practicable through prefabricated housing. In this opinion paper, the social sustainability principles in relation to prefabricated housing was analysed to show situations that can be complex with the benefits and challenges as well. The main objective of this study was to find the potential of prefabricated housing to promote social sustainability, with proper analysis of this housing influence on the key elements of community, diversity as well as adaptability. A survey based on the aspect of social sustainability of prefabricated housing was conducted to collect various perspectives that may influence the future trend in the housing sector, hence making necessary steps towards socially sustainable prefabricated housing solutions. The survey findings highlight the social element of prefabricated households, which refers to how accessible as well as adaptable the prefabricated homes are in terms of targets, build and social group, encouraging dwellers’ interaction and participation, which facilitates the implementation of a sense of belonging and social cohesion among societies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Sustainability: Sustainable Housing and Communities)
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