Developing a theoretical framework to assist policymaking for retrofitting residential buildings using system player analysis and causal loop diagrams

Abstract

Retrofit of urban residential buildings (RURB) has great potential for improving energy conservation and sustainability, but it encounters challenges due to the lack of incentive policy and the unwillingness of residents. The RURB retrofitting process is a complex system involving anthropic factors such as proper definition, components, and unclear problems. This study aims to clarify its complex nature concerning the cognition and interactions of the RURB system so to develop a theoretical framework by applying the system thinking approach of System Player Analysis (SPA) with realistic qualitative data collected from four defined main players in the RURB system. Semi-structured interviews and questionnaire surveys were conducted to collect information from RURB policymakers, designers and engineers, scholars, and residents. The Hot Summer and Cold Winter climate zone (HSCW) in China was selected as the case study area. Roles, outputs, issues, demands, and features of individual RURB system players are revealed with unique local retrofit preferences whilst system cognition is clearly defined to create Causal Loop Diagrams (CLD) for RURB to help understand the interactions between system variables. The discussion based on SPA and CLD results provides valuable suggestions for addressing the identified systemic problems of RURB and an extensive theoretical basis for future retrofitting of residential buildings.