Measures and Steps for More Efficient Use of Buildings

Abstract

Abstract:As urbanization continues and more people move into cities and urban areas, pressure on available land for new constructions will continue to increase. This situation constitutes an incentive to review the need for interior space and uses of existing buildings. A great deal can be gained from using existing buildings more efficiently instead of constructing new ones: Reduced resource usage during construction (investments, natural resources, and energy), operation, and maintenance; more activity per square meter of buildings creates a greater basis for public transport and other services; more intensive use of buildings creates a more vibrant city without building on virgin land. The aim of this paper is to initiate a discussion regarding how digitalization can affect the demand and supply of interior space in existing buildings and elaborate on how policy can support more resource-efficient uses of space. New activity-based resource measurements intended for use in buildings are proposed, and several principles that have the potential to decrease environmental impact through more efficient usage of space are outlined. Based on these ideas for encouraging the flexible use of building spaces that are facilitated by digitalization and the new measurement approaches, a four-step principle for construction is proposed: The first step is to reduce the demand for space, the second is to intensify usage of existing space, the third is to reconstruct and adapt existing buildings to current needs, and the fourth is to construct new buildings. Urging political, municipal, construction, and real-estate decision makers to contemplate this principle, particularly in view of the new conditions that digitalization entails, will lead to more sustainable construction and, in the long term, a sustainable built environment.

Unintended Side Effects of the Digital Transition: European Scientists’ Messages from a Proposition-Based Expert Round Table

“…The four-step principle can be strongly supported by new measures (kWh/activity instead of kWh/m 2 ) and digitalization has a key role in creating opportunities for using space more efficiently and thus reduce demand. This has potentially large-scale effects on how cities and regions work and on total energy use in the building stock and for building new buildings [92]. Human-machine interaction must be considered as a form of social interaction and self-reflection.…”

Sharing indoor space: stakeholders’ perspectives and energy metrics

“…This paper explores two areas where a research need has been identified connected to space sharing. One aim is to improve the understanding of the processes involved in the implementation of space sharing and identifying aspects that deserve close attention when working with space sharing, as mentioned by Brinkø & Nielsen (2018) and Höjer & Mjörnell (2018). Another aim is to investigate the use of appropriate metrics for energy efficiency in shared spaces, as highlighted by Sekki, Airaksinen & Saari (2015).…”

“…Francart, Malmqvist & Hagbert (2018) highlight indoor space efficiency as a strategy to meet climate targets in the building sector, as it reduces the amount of new construction and operational energy demand. Similarly, Höjer & Mjörnell (2018) suggest a 'four-step principle' for a more efficient use of buildings. According to the principle, the first priority should be to adjust activities to require less space (e.g.…”

“…The sharing of indoor spaces covers diverse types of initiatives. Examples of space sharing initiatives can be found in Brinkø & Nielsen (2018) and Höjer & Mjörnell (2018), and include:…”

“…Brinkø & Nielsen (2017) developed a typology of shared facilities and a guide for municipalities to implement sharing in their premises. Höjer & Mjörnell (2018) and Huovila, Tuominen & Airaksinen (2017) also highlight the importance of using the right performance metrics for decision support, in particular for energy performance. Traditional operational energy metrics based on floor area (kWh/(m 2 a)) have been widely studied (Abu Bakar et al 2015) and are commonly used in certification and regulation, e.g.…”