Opportunities for digital tracking technologies in the precast concrete sector in Sweden

Frontiers in Built Environment, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 11

Published: April 24, 2025

The construction sector is a major consumer of natural resources and significant contributor to environmental degradation through resource depletion, waste generation, greenhouse gas emissions. As the industry shifts toward sustainable circular practices, improving material traceability efficiency becomes crucial. Digital Tracking Technologies (DTT) offer promising solution, yet their adoption in precast concrete remains limited, necessitating an in-depth examination influencing factors. This study explores DTT Sweden’s industry, addressing critical gap understanding how digital technologies support Circular Economy (CE) objectives. By identifying key barriers drivers, research provides holistic view challenges opportunities shaping this transition. A mixed-methods approach was employed, integrating bibliometric analysis, social media sentiment stakeholder interviews. Data analysis conducted using VOS Viewer, Orange Miner, NVivo, while findings were interpreted sociotechnical lens. utilizes PESTLE SWOT analyses within Multi-Level Perspective (MLP) framework examine dynamics at niche, regime, landscape levels. Findings highlight systemic such as high investment costs, fragmented infrastructure, limited knowledge, cultural resistance. However, exist, including enhanced operational efficiency, improved information dissemination, CE alignment, supportive policies, targeted incentives. Innovations like RFID tags, QR codes, Product Passports can enhance circularity. Given regime inertia pressures, cohesive policy interventions collaboration are essential. actionable insights for stakeholders, policymakers, sustainability advocates advance innovation practices.

Language: Английский

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The environmental value of transport infrastructure in the UK: an EXIOBASE analysis

Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Engineering Sustainability, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 18

Published: April 25, 2025

Five life cycle assessment (LCA) methods to calculate a project’s environmental value are described: (a) process-based, (b) hybrid, (c) pseudo, (d) simplified, and (e) parametric. This paper discusses in detail compares the two with least inherent uncertainty: process-based LCA (a bottom-up methodology involving mapping characterising all processes associated phases of project) hybrid (the EXIOBASE analysis, which incorporates top-down economic input–output analysis is wider sector-by-sector approach). The ‘bottom-up’ nature LCA, quantifies impacts for each process project, particularly challenging when applied evaluation infrastructure as whole. Conversely, combining impact information provided tables corresponding allows decision makers more straightforwardly choose invest that supports positive outcomes. Employing bespoke model using Pearson’s correlation coefficient capture interdependencies between transport sector other four ‘economic infrastructures’ showed energy sectors be most closely linked. Both integrated planning innovative technologies needed radically reduce adverse enhance sustainability across transport, waste, water, communication sectors.

Language: Английский

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Life-Cycle Assessment in Agri-Food Systems and the Wine Industry—A Circular Economy Perspective

Foods, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 14(9), P. 1553 - 1553

Published: April 28, 2025

Rapid population growth, climate change, and resource depletion pose significant challenges to global food production, demanding sustainable solutions. A Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) provides a structured framework for evaluating the environmental impact of systems throughout their entire life cycle. This review examines how an LCA can be integrated with circular economy principles address sustainability challenges, optimize use, minimize waste in alcoholic beverage production. systematic applications agri-food sector was conducted, analyzing studies published across different regions. The selection criteria included relevance strategies, valorization approaches, assessing impacts using methodologies. analysis explores explicitly synergy between wine production within broader system, considering shared opportunities optimization. Key methodologies include cradle-to-grave assessments evaluation waste-to-resource technologies. findings demonstrate that effectively identifies critical hotspots, enabling implementation eco-design recovery practices. Circular such as use renewable energy, precision agriculture, nutrient recovery, significantly enhance sustainability. However, gaps remain accounting social regional variability, well integrating advanced When combined principles, actionable insights policy development Advancing fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration are essential creating resilient environmentally responsible systems.

Language: Английский

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Sunlight Autonomy for Buildings: A New Methodology for Evaluating Sunlight Performance in Urban and Architectural Design

LEUKOS The Journal of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 31

Published: Jan. 23, 2024

Due to urbanization and growing density in cities the past century, metrics were introduced assess daylight performance such as minimum sunlight hours factor. The paper initially explores shortcomings of early-stage evaluation methods. A novel methodology called Sunlight Autonomy (SA) is proposed for evaluating buildings. SA based on "Exposure sunlight" criteria EN 170307 "Daylight Buildings," where a computational method used specified day. concept expands analysis temporally over entire year, spatially building facades, leading new point evaluation, spatial analyzed case study across four European cities. facades between February 1st March 21st, days 17037, led differences up 63%. This revealed significant shortcoming relevant Nordic regions. 21st 50% year within 5%, 33% 75% year. timestep affects window showed that error 10-minute was 5% daily insolation 5 annual SA. potential these urban planning architectural design process examined. interaction well other ongoing research developments, discussed.

Language: Английский

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Mind the gap: Facilitating early design stage building life cycle assessment through a co-production approach

Journal of Cleaner Production, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 464, P. 142803 - 142803

Published: June 6, 2024

Despite the transition towards a circular economy (CE) being significant element in achieving decarbonisation of built environment, clear and common pathway to applying CE principles building design is still lacking both industry practice academia. The integration Building Information Modelling (BIM) Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has potential enable identification feasible pathways increase circularity. This study aims investigate its practical use facilitate application at early stage via using LCA-based BIM plugins. Within this aim, paper centres on co-production approach presents gap analysis by identifying gaps knowledge implementation as well addressing pressing needs current UK. A series semi-structured interviews with expert practitioners field were conducted for data collection, contributing following phases allowing an in-depth investigation reflection practice. findings have revealed that: (a) there insufficient level contextual awareness readiness environment LCA understanding (b) adoption stages limited practice; models sufficient details quality circularity assessment are rarely produced. Thus, highlights need enabling mechanisms, including introduction legislative instruments, involvement commitment key stakeholders, support training skills improvement, establishment effective communication process management frameworks. Future research agenda points formulation protocol promote process.

Language: Английский

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