Fatima, S., Hsiu Lee, C., & Dannenberg, A. L. (2024). Equity issues associated with the widespread implementation of autonomous vehicles. Oxford Open Infrastructure and Health, 2. https://doi.org/10.1093/ooih/ouae002.
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Abstract
Autonomous vehicles (AVs), either shared or privately owned, are predicted to become a common transport mode used by the general population in coming decades. Policies governing the use of AVs may increase or decrease social inequities. This review synthesizes existing literature and provides policy recommendations to enhance equity as the use of AVs becomes more widespread. We identified nine areas in which AVs could impact equity: (i) assessment of community mobility needs and priorities, (ii) education and outreach, (iii) disparities in infrastructure quality, (iv) equitable distribution of customer services, (v) access to AVs by persons with low incomes, (vi) shared infrastructure services, (vii) barriers to shared AV use, (viii) access to AVs by persons with disabilities and (ix) disruption of existing transportation jobs. Recommendations for promoting equitable use of AVs include (i) policies governing how jurisdictions oversee AV implementation and (ii) policies addressing how jurisdictions issue permits to AV service providers. Oversight policies include ensuring input from disadvantaged communities, providing subsidies for low-income users, establishing ride-sharing rules to protect vulnerable populations, reviewing the equity implications of proposed AV infrastructure improvements, providing retraining opportunities for those who may lose jobs due to AV implementation and monitoring the impact of AV policies implemented. Permitting processes include ensuring equitable access to AVs for low-income, minority, and older users and persons with disabilities, ensuring equitable distribution of AV service areas and verifying that data from all communities are incorporated into the artificial intelligence algorithms used to guide AVs.
Cahen, A., Dannenberg, A. L., & Kraft, M. K. (2024). Municipal Sidewalk Inventories: A Tool to Support Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Transportation Research Record. https://doi.org/10.1177/03611981241281738.
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Abstract
Sidewalks are a critical but underresourced part of our transportation system. Despite their importance in promoting equity, health, and safety, sidewalk networks are often underfunded and municipalities may have little information about their condition. We conducted a document review, informant interviews, and a descriptive study of 21 selected U.S. cities to compare practices for conducting sidewalk inventories and their use for improving municipal sidewalk networks. Although diverse in geography, population size, density, and median household income, the selected cities represent a sample of convenience and not a random sample of U.S. cities. The results suggested that compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act is a primary motivator for conducting sidewalk inventories and the cost of conducting an inventory is not prohibitive. Inventory methods included walking each sidewalk segment using handheld devices, LIDAR mounted on wheeled vehicles, and aerial photography, with data uploaded to geographic information system databases. Sidewalk inventories can be used to promote equity by increasing the percentage of city streets that have sidewalks. Areas for future study include developing better cost estimates for each type of sidewalk inventory method, examining the legal implications of sidewalk inventories, and estimating the incremental health benefits obtained for each additional investment in sidewalk construction and repair.
Akerele, D. D., & Aguayo, F. (2024). Evaluating the Impact of CO2 on Calcium SulphoAluminate (CSA) Concrete. Buildings, 14(8), 2462. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14082462
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Abstract
The construction industry is a significant contributor to global CO2 emissions, primarily due to the extensive use of ordinary portland cement (OPC). In response to the urgent need for sustainable construction materials, calcium sulphoaluminate (CSA) cement has emerged as a promising alternative. CSA cement is renowned for its low carbon footprint, high early-age strength, and superior durability, making it an attractive option for reducing the environmental impact of construction activities. While CSA cement offers benefits in carbon emissions reduction, its susceptibility to carbonation presents challenges. Although the body of literature on CSA cement is rapidly expanding, its adoption rate remains low. This disparity may be attributed to several factors including the level of scientific contribution in terms of research focus and lack of comprehensive standards for various applications. As a result, the present study sets out to track the research trajectory within the CSA cement research landscape through a systematic literature review. The study employed the Prefer Reporting Item for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) framework to conduct a literature search on three prominent databases, and a thematic analysis was conducted to identify the knowledge gap for future exploration. The study revealed that while CSA concrete demonstrates superior early-age strength and environmental resistance, its susceptibility to carbonation can compromise structural integrity over time. Key mitigation strategies identified include the incorporation of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), use of corrosion inhibitors, and optimization of mix designs. The review also highlights the global distribution of research, with notable contributions from the USA, China, and Europe, emphasizing the collaborative effort in advancing CSA concrete technology. The findings are crucial for enhancing sustainability and durability in the construction sector and advancing CSA binders as a sustainable alternative to traditional cement.
Keywords
concrete; calcium sulphoaluminate cement (CSA); mechanical properties; carbonation (CO2); durability; sustainability
Tetteh, M. O., Darko, A., Boateng, E. B., & Chan, A. P. C. (2024). Energy Efficiency Retrofitting of Existing Building Stock for Net Zero. In Rethinking Pathways to a Sustainable Built Environment (pp. 142–158). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003317890-9
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Abstract
Existing buildings’ retrofits improve energy efficiency and are a crucial part of global decarbonization plan. There is a need for a better understanding of public sentiment toward energy efficiency retrofitting of existing buildings (EEREB) to effectively promote its widespread adoption through policy interventions. Currently, there is a lack of comprehensive studies that assess the general public's sentiments toward EEREB. This chapter utilizes social media data to assess the overall public's sentiments of EEREB. Sentiment analysis was used to analyze a total of 3,306 comments from the social media platform YouTube. The concerns and perceptions of the public were analyzed using a Latent Dirichlet Allocation model, which identified nine main themes. These themes include ventilation, energy efficiency, indoor environment quality, comfort and occupant behavior, cost considerations, community engagement, technology usage, implementation knowledge, and social impact. The public expressed stronger positive sentiments, with about 64% reporting favorable views of EEREB and acknowledging its benefits. In addition, interesting patterns of perceptions shaped by a combination of generic and local-specific factors were identified. This chapter enhances the understanding of the general public's needs, concerns, and views on EEREB. Additionally, it could provide valuable insights for policymakers to refine or develop more effective actions in support of EEREB.
Debrah, C., Chan, A. P. C., Darko, A., Owusu-Manu, D.-G., & Ohene, E. (2024). Green Finance. In Rethinking Pathways to a Sustainable Built Environment (pp. 277–302). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003317890-18
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Abstract
Green building is an “unheralded hero” in the global emissions fight. Its business case has raised demand from several stakeholders. It is seen as a multitrillion-dollar business opportunity of the next decade, leading to increased green finance (GF) investment for green building. GF is accepted as a tool to finance climate change mitigation and adaptation actions, including buildings and construction. To promote GF for green building, collaboration efforts between governments, businesses, investors, and the public are key. This chapter presents the evolution of GF for green building, an overview of the implementation and its potentials, with a focus on the role of stakeholders, policies, regulations, and incentives. Typologies of GF for green building and some examples of success stories are discussed. Other related issues such as green standards, green certifications, and green indices are examined. This chapter facilitates a systematic and comprehensive understanding of the subject. Overall, it summarises the development of GF in this field and the consequent impact on climate action.
Professor Carrie Sturts Dossick, Associate Dean for Research, and Assistant Professor Lingzi Wu both from the department of Construction Management, presented at the 2024 Northwest Construction Consumer Council (NWCCC) Conference, “AI and Digital Technology in Construction” and Distinguished Project Awards. Their presentations are linked below. Assistant Professor Wu gave a presentation entitled “AI-Powered Solutions for Next-Generation Construction Management.” Professor Sturts Dossick presented on Cybersecurity Planning.
Waller, M., Cove, M. V., Daniels, J. C., & Yocom, K. P. (2025). Innovative communication strategies for promoting urban wildlife habitat conservation. Landscape and Urban Planning, 253, 105229-. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2024.105229
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Abstract
The emerging recognition of the importance of urban habitat and wildlife for increasing biodiversity, driven partly by responses to climate change and urbanization, presents critical opportunities for urban biodiversity conservation and species recovery. However, effectively communicating these benefits to the public and policymakers remains a challenge for scientists and landscape architects with public perceptions, often shaped by diverse socio-cultural factors, serving as obstacles for garnering support. Our research explores innovative communication strategies through an intersectional analysis of planning and design communications and theory in museology and presents a structured approach in the use of charismatic species within interpretive studies to enhance public empathy and the potential for action. This research offers a valuable foundation for planning and design professionals, guiding their efforts to promote urban wildlife habitat and bridge the gaps between scientific knowledge and public advocacy.
Keywords
Urban wildlife habitat; Biodiversity conservation; Communication strategies
Adabre, M. A., Chan, A. P. C., Darko, A., Edwards, D. J., Yang, Y., & Issahaque, S. (2024). No Stakeholder Is an Island in the Drive to This Transition: Circular Economy in the Built Environment. Sustainability, 16(15), 6422-. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16156422
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Abstract
Ensuring optimum utilisation of the Earth’s finite resources engenders the circular economy (CE) concept which has attracted the attention of policymakers and practitioners worldwide. As a bifurcated strategy which involves both scientific knowledge, advanced technologies and behavioural changes, the CE transition is sociotechnical in nature. Yet, prolific studies focus on scientific knowledge and technologies alone, while studies on promoting CE practices or built environment stakeholders’ behaviour are limited. Using Stakeholder Theory, a comprehensive literature review on CE drivers was conducted. Through a questionnaire survey of professionals, key drivers identified were deployed to develop a 20-driver model for CE transition in the built environment. The model is relevant to policymakers and practitioners because it highlights essential drivers for optimum resource allocation. Moreover, the findings apprise policymakers of the drivers that pertain to key stakeholders (i.e., professional and higher educational institutions, society and clients, government and firms), thus stating the requirements for driving each stakeholder to achieve this sociotechnical transition.
Keywords
circular economy; sociotechnical transition; sustainability; drivers; stakeholder theory; waste reduction
Developing a Body of Knowledge for Green Construction Project Management. Darko, Amos & Chan, Albert PC (Eds.). October 2024.
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Abstract
Growing global imperatives to address sustainability concerns have boosted the importance and prominence of green construction projects worldwide. However, project managers may lack the specialist knowledge and/or technical skills to overcome the unique challenges to successfully deliver suitably sustainable green projects. This book aims to address this shortfall by unearthing, refining and synergising the hitherto scattered gems of experiential and theoretical knowledge, into a unified Body of Knowledge for green construction project management.
Comprising both conceptual principles as well as practical case studies, this book for the first time assembles, structures and consolidates a comprehensive body of knowledge for green construction project management that addresses the unique aspects of this critical domain. It will fulfil a now critical need: equipping industry practitioners, researchers and students with the core project management knowledge and skills needed to successfully deliver green construction projects. It is a must-read for anyone who seeks to develop core green construction project management knowledge and skills, and those intending to move into green construction project management.
Assistant Professor in Construction Management Dr. Amos Darko was ranked in the top 0.05% of scholar in Green Building based on the comprehensive scope and impact of his work. This achievement speaks to the expertise Dr. Darko has in his field, and the value his work brings to CBE. Congratulations to Dr. Darko on this achievement! See more about Dr. Darko’s work here.