Building Policy Research Articles

Study of the green building implementation: towards net zero energy housing (case study: South Tangerang)

The study investigates the use of green building concepts by private developers in South Tangerang. The implementation of green building policies has a significant impact on the government’s target of reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions by 2030. The private sector, specifically large private developers in South Tangerang, has made significant contributions to the successful implementation of green building. The majority of new houses built in recent years have been built by large private developers with a lot of land in South Tangerang. This research is significant because a large developer with all of the financial and technical resources can be a pioneer in the future application of green building for residential homes. For governments with all financial and technical constraints, the active role of private developers will greatly aid in the mass implementation of green buildings. However, the constraints and challenges faced by private developers in incorporating green building concepts into their products remain poorly understood and discussed. A simulation of a typical model house built by a private developer can be used to assess the private sector’s potential for energy and economic savings. There are still very few green building discussions that address the potential of housing to save energy. The study is expected to contribute to discussions about green building applications by providing an overview of the challenges and potential for implementation.

Assessing the choice of smoke-free policies for multiunit housing and its associated determinants in Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study

ObjectivesThis study aimed to assess the desire for smoke-free housing, determine the choice of smoke-free policies for multiunit housing (MUH), and identify the factors associated with policy choice among MUH...

공장의 매매가격 결정요인에 관한 연구

Research on the factors influencing the sale price of industrial complex factories, which play a crucial role in the entire manufacturing industry in Korea, is still incomplete. In this study, we empirically analyzed the characteristics of factories in industrial complexes to determine their impact on the sale price. This empirical analysis is based on data collected from 333 factories in the three main industrial complexes of small and medium enterprises in the metropolitan area: Banwol, Sihwa, and Namdong. The analysis results are as follows. First, in terms of location characteristics, the distance from highway interchanges and the distance from the subway station have a negative (-) the transaction price, while proximity to a main road has a positive effect. Second, concerning the building's characteristics, a larger the land area and total floor area, as well as a more complex main building structure, have a greater positive impact on the transaction price. However, the useful life negatively affects the transaction price because of physical and functional depreciation. Third, it was confirmed that the industry factory's industry affects the transaction price in relation to industry characteristics. Fourth, concerning regional policy characteristics, the designation of a regeneration business district has a positive impact on the transaction price. Therefore, manufacturing companies interested in acquiring factories in industrial complexes should conduct precise calculations of sales prices and make purchase decisions based on a medium- and long-term valuation and analysis of industrial properties and manufacturing companies . This should involve thorough consideration of location, building, industry, buyer, and regional policy characteristics specific to the main industry.

Eco-efficiency and economic assessment of gypsum-based precast with polymeric waste: A case study

The adoption of sustainable building policies and the society’s increasing emphasis on sustainability underscore the urgent need to evaluate the environmental and economic impact of construction materials. This study examines the effects of incorporating polyurethane foam waste into gypsum-based ceiling tiles. It compares its economic performance and eco-efficiency with conventional alternatives. Methodologically, Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) quantifies total life cycle costs, followed by Eco-Efficiency Assessment (EE), considering results from both Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and LCCA. Our findings reveal a compelling 5.91% cost advantage for the novel precast, driven by enhanced production capacity resulting from shorter drying times. The economic benefits of this approach are underscored by a detailed breakdown of cost savings in production phases. Furthermore, the EE remarks a substantial 7.5% boost, emphasizing the positive environmental impact achieved through reduced resource consumption and lower emissions combined with lower life-cycle costs. These results highlight the economic viability and eco-efficiency of polymeric waste-integrated gypsum ceiling tiles for environmental sustainability. The specific percentage improvements in cost and eco-efficiency provide a quantitative basis for understanding the advantages of adopting these innovative materials.

THE IMPACT OF WORK PRESSURES ON JOB PERFORMANCE WITHIN THE MODIFIED ROLE OF INNOVATIVE E CAPABILITIES: APPLIED STUDY IN IRAQI UNIVERSITIES

Purpose: The current study aimed to measure the impact of work pressure on the level of job performance in Iraqi universities within the framework of the enhancing role of innovative capabilities. Design/Methodology/Approach: Relying on a random sample of (294) respondents from senior, middle and supervisory management employees from four Iraqi universities, 23.9% of the total study population. Findings: The study found a low level of work stress in Iraqi universities & In return there is a high level of innovative capacity of those working in these universities, And a further increase in their level of job performance. In addition to the direct negative impact of work pressure on the level of job performance. This is in return for a direct positive effect of innovative ability on the level of job performance of employees in Iraqi universities. On the other hand, the coefficient of the interactive variable (innovative capacity × work pressure) was not statistically significant. Research, Practical & Social Implications: Simply controlling innovative capabilities has reduced the negative impact of work pressures from large to small. While innovative capabilities will have a significant positive impact on job performance. This means that the mere availability of innovative capabilities among workers will allow them to exploit them to avoid work pressures and reduce their negative impact on them. Originality/Value: This confirms the great practical importance of innovative capabilities in neutralizing the negative effects of work pressures on the job performance of employees in Iraqi universities. This gives a strong support for developing the theory and building policies to control work pressures by working to increase the innovative capabilities of workers.

Urban History on the Seam: Frankfurt’s Judengasse and the Early Modern City

This article examines the nexus between the Jewish ghetto in Frankfurt am Main (built in 1462) and a neighboring street, Wollgraben. Utilizing Jewish communal sources in Hebrew and Yiddish, German municipal records, and contemporary maps, it traces the development of the ghetto against the backdrop of urban expansion and population growth. Although the Jews were technically confined to the ghetto, these sources demonstrate that as the Jewish population increased, both Jewish residents and their buildings spilled over into the once-empty lot on Wollgraben. Building policies demonstrate, however, that limiting the visibility of the Jewish minority was essential to the city council. As such, they restricted the scope and zoning of buildings to obscure the Jewish presence, particularly as the majority population expanded into this once peripheral area.

Building Equity: Exploring the Impact of Sustainable Urban Policies on Social Welfare and Inclusivity

This study, "Building Equity: Exploring the Impact of Sustainable Urban Policies on Social Welfare and Inclusivity," investigates the relationship between sustainable building policies in urban areas and their impact on social welfare, with a focus on protecting low-income households from utility shutoffs. Employing Urban Sociology and Welfare Theory, it examines how these policies influence urban social dynamics and residents' well-being. The research utilizes descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multinomial logistic regression to analyze the correlation between sustainable building policies and social welfare measures, finding a significant link. The study emphasizes the need for integrated urban policies that cater to both environmental sustainability and social welfare. It highlights the importance of enhancing social safety nets, continuous policy evaluation, community involvement, and data-driven policymaking. The research points out its limitations in scope, methodology, and generalizability, suggesting the necessity for broader, more context-specific future studies. Overall, this study sheds light on how sustainable urban policies can promote both environmental and social equity.

A comparative analysis of Chinese green building policies from the central and local perspectives using LDA and SNA

ABSTRACT China’s construction, energy consumption, and emissions are the world’s largest, making green building (GB) crucial for sustainable development and climate action. GB policies play a crucial role in promoting sustainable development and mitigating environmental impacts. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of China’s GB policies at both central and local levels using natural language processing (NLP), Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA), and semantic network analysis (SNA). It also integrates three theoretical frameworks: Policy Implementation Theory, Sustainable Development Theory, and Innovation Diffusion Theory. The study aims to: (1) compare the characteristics of central and local GB policies; (2) identify problems and propose solutions to improve policy effects and impacts. The results show that both levels of policies cover various sustainability aspects but with different focuses. The SNA reveals the semantic relationships and differences within the policy documents. The study suggests several strategies to enhance GB policy effectiveness and sustainability, based on the three theoretical frameworks. These strategies include providing more specific guidance, enhancing financial support and incentives, promoting technological advancements, strengthening monitoring and evaluation, adopting a more systematic approach, democratizing policy formulation, identifying key stakeholders and influencers, and considering innovation characteristics. This study contributes to the GB policy research and practice in China. It is also the first study to use NLP, LDA, and SNA to comprehensively analyze China’s GB policies, and the first study to apply the three theoretical frameworks to GB policy analysis.

EFFECT AND MECHANISM OF CHINA’S PREFABRICATED BUILDING POLICIES TO PROMOTE PATENT OUTPUT WITH CARBON-NEUTRALITY AS A TARGET

ABSTRACT Unlike cast-in-place buildings, prefabricated buildings can conserve energy and reduce pollution, diminish damage to the environment caused by construction projects, drive greening of the construction industry, and promote carbon neutrality. The prefabricated construction industry is highly developed in China. This study analyzes prefabricated building policies and patents in Chinese provinces from 2011 to 2020 and systematically discusses the impact mechanism of supply-oriented, environment-oriented, and demand-oriented prefabricated building policies on patent output from static and dynamic perspectives. Correlations between policies and patent output were analyzed in the spatiotemporal dimension from a static perspective. A system dynamics model was used to investigate the causal relationship between the enterprise, university research, and government subsystems. Simulations were conducted to determine the sensitivity of policies in different dimensions to evaluate the impact of different policy categories and dynamics on patent output. The results: (1) policies are significantly and positively spatiotemporally correlated with patent output; (2) patent output increases over time, the positive effect is enhanced when policy implementation is strengthened; and (3) the effects of different dimensional policies on patent output differ across different periods. Overall, the effect of demand-oriented policies was the most significant, followed by environment- and supply-oriented policies. Before 2020, the effects of environment- and supply-oriented policies were equivalent, but the promotional effects of supply-oriented policies became more prominent after that, and (4) sub-policies contributing to dimensional policies vary. Fiscal and financial, science and technology, and public procurement sub-policies are critical in supply-, environment-, and demand-oriented policies, respectively. The findings can contribute to a virtuous cycle of prefabricated building policies and patent output systems, and provide information to accelerate sustainable, green industrialized development of the prefabricated construction industry in China.

Middle class nation building through immigration?

ABSTRACT This special issue examines the increase in scale and intensity of merit-based (im)migration policies as a means to revive aging populations and boost national economies in countries around the world. It proposes the idea of ‘middle class nation building through immigration’ to characterize this phenomenon, to relate it to previous versions of nation building and (im)migration policies, and to highlight the puzzle of middle class (im)migration at times of increasing socio-political polarization in receiving societies. In this foundational introduction, I define the three concepts at stake, situate them within their respective bodies of literature, and address the following three questions: How to characterize the type of nation building at stake in today’s democracies? Who gets to belong to the new educated middle class? Can we still speak of immigration or do we, instead, observe an end of settlement policies? This allows me to sketch-out the contours of ‘middle class nation building through immigration’ as an ideal-type: a heuristic theoretical construct (not to be found empirically in its pure form) that kindles our imagination, allows us to examine empirical cases, and invites debate.

‘A pre-requisite of progress’? Prison modernisation and new prison building in England and Wales

Drawing upon archival research and documentary analysis, this article offers the first in-depth critical account of the prison modernisation narrative in England and Wales. By closely examining the claims behind the UK Government's current prison building policy, the article reveals that prison modernisation is severely undermined by a lack of supporting evidence as well as arguments which indisputably serve to contradict the government's claims. In concluding that modernisation is a seductive and elusive concept which has been deployed to legitimate and support investment in the prison estate, the article offers new and important insights that contribute to critical research agendas around the endurance, survival, and growth of the prison, despite irrefutable and overwhelming evidence of its failure. The analysis presented here should encourage and embolden academics, policy makers, practitioners and politicians in England and Wales, as well as those in jurisdictions where modernisation is also used to legitimate prison expansion, to engage more critically with the claims behind prison modernisation.

Fostering Economic Resilience in Pangkalpinang: A Qualitative Investigation into MSME Development Strategies

Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) have a significant role in the economies of developing countries. After the Covid-19 pandemic, the transformation of MSMEs needs to be strengthened through optimizing the use of digital technology. MSME development is carried out through the pillars of corporatization, capacity building, and financing policies, in order to create productive, innovative, and adaptive MSMEs. The number of cooperatives and MSMEs in Pangkalpinang City in 2022 will reach 23,119 MSMEs and is the largest sector in absorbing labor in Pangkalpinang City. Optimizing the role of MSMEs as the backbone of the economy will continue to be directed at efforts to increase productivity and inclusive regional economic growth, through adaptation to digital changes. This study is a strategic step in developing cooperatives and SMEs to increase regional economic growth to provide answers to current problems. The data used in this study are qualitative data and quantitative data. Data collection techniques are questionnaires, interviews and documentation. This study uses fishbone diagram analysis and SWOT analysis. The results of this study are that MSMEs in Pangkalpinang City are in quadrant I position. This means that MSMEs are advised to carry out an aggressive strategy by using internal strengths to take advantage of external opportunities to achieve increased MSME growth. Weak elements of the marketing strategy for Cooperatives and MSMEs in Pangkalpinang City are caused by weak digital marketing factors, product innovation, and partnerships with market places, startups, and others

Unraveling the Knowledge Roadmap of Building Policy Mixes: A Scientometric Analysis

Improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions from buildings are crucial for achieving sustainable development. To realize these goals, it is essential to adopt a policy mix. However, despite much effort in this field, there is a lack of comprehensive understanding on building policy mixes (BPMs), which challenges building sustainability. To address this research gap, this study attempted to uncover the knowledge landscape of BPM through scientometric analysis. By employing methods such as keywords co-occurrence analysis, clustering analysis, co-citation analysis, and research trend analysis, this study systematically examined the current status, hot topics, underlying knowledge framework, knowledge domains, and frontiers of BPM research. The findings revealed that the existing BPM research primarily focuses on various aspects, including policy-related topics such as building energy efficiency policies and policy instruments, as well as topics like green affordable housing, hindering factors, carbon pricing, use obligation, construction waste reduction, and sustainable construction methods. Furthermore, the analysis identified research frontiers in BPM, encompassing policy considerations (e.g., building efficiency policy, split incentive, carbon tax, and carbon pricing), energy-related aspects (e.g., consumption, green transition), political dimensions (e.g., governance, management), building-related factors (e.g., green building, retrofitting), the innovation system, and the evolutionary game. Based on these findings, this study suggests that future research in BPM can deepen insight into interdisciplinary policy mixes by focusing on policy strategies, processes, and features. This study contributes to a holistic understanding of BPM and offers insightful guidance for both researchers and practitioners seeking to advance sustainable practices in the building sector.

Benefits and challenges of implementing green building development in Nigeria

PurposeThe adoption of green building concepts and practices is rapidly gaining momentum globally due to their tendency to mitigate adverse effects of construction activities on the environment. The purpose of this study is to examine the challenges and benefits of implementing green building development in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachPrimary data were collected from questionnaires administered to 122 participants selected using stratified sampling techniques in North-East Nigeria. Semi-structured interviews complemented survey findings with proposed solutions. The quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics to identify the benefits and challenges, while thematic analysis was used to identify effective measures to the challenges of green building.FindingsResults show that “conservation of natural resources”, “reducing maintenance” and “heightened aesthetic” were rated higher as environmental, economic and social benefits, and thus were significant to green building development. The study revealed “economic issues”, “government issues” and “absence of standard assessment system” were the key factors as internal, external and general challenges to green building. Most practical solutions were related broadly to policy, awareness and support as measures to challenges of green building development.Originality/valueThe study is imperative to bridge the knowledge gaps and provide empirical information for green building policy guidelines specific to North-East Nigeria’s built environment sector. The understanding of policy implications will assist in building regulatory and monitoring agencies in developing new internal management policies to inform the public and investors about the effects of green building development.

The climate emergency: A tale of two cities

The rising concentration of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and the associated impacts of climate change have prompted the urgent need to reduce GHG emissions. In response, the cities of Manchester and Melbourne declared climate emergencies in 2019, calling for radical resource mobilisation to address global warming. Despite the increasing discourse on climate change policies and ambitions, there is limited evidence on the current practices in the built environment following these climate emergency declarations. To address this gap, this research conducted a comparative analysis of the building sector practices in Manchester and Melbourne. Through 63 in-depth interviews with building professionals and policy experts, this study sheds light on the alignment of these practices with climate goals. The findings reveal that while the United Kingdom has made notable progress in establishing its net-zero pathway, little attention has been given to driving this transformation at the building project level. In Melbourne, stricter regulations are necessary, particularly in the residential sector, to facilitate emission reductions and behavioural change. This paper, therefore, proposes a holistic cultural reform framework to support the transition of the sector towards a performance-based culture. By contextualising this analysis within the broader policy landscape and gathering insights from building professionals and policy experts, this research contributes to global efforts in climate change mitigation and offers practical implications for the building sector.

A Socio-Criminological Analysis of Off-Campus Accommodation in Public Tertiary Institutions in Nasarawa State, Nigeria.

Off-campus which is an alternative for on-campus due to limited space on-campus is faced with various degrees of problems. These problems directly have negative impact on students living off-campus. A careful observation shows most off-campus areas are faced with problems, hence it is not peculiar to one institution but it cuts across different tertiary institutions of learning. This study examined students’ off-campus accommodation with specific focus on public tertiary institutions in Nasarawa State. The objectives of the study include to: find out the forms of disorderly conducts that are associated with off-campus accommodation system in public tertiary institutions in Nasarawa State, ascertain the reasons for the persistence of disorderly conducts in off campus accommodation system in public tertiary institutions in Nasarawa State, determine how the disorderly conducts associated with off-campus accommodation system affect students, explore ways that could curb the disorderly conducts common in off-campus accommodation system in public tertiary institutions in Nasarawa State. The social control theory of Travis Hirschi was adopted for theoretical framework. Survey research design was used. Sample size of 385 respondents were sampled using Cochran formula for sample size determination and given copies of questionnaire to fill and submit, however only 376 were retrieved for analysis. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. The method of data analysis was through the use of percentages, mean and standard deviation. This is for easy comprehension by readers. Findings revealed that the forms of disorderly conducts that are associated with off-campus accommodation system in public tertiary institutions in Nasarawa State include drinking in public, playing loud music or causing excessive noise late at night, illegal sales of drugs and exposing one’s naked body. Findings also revealed that the ways disorderly conducts associated with off-campus affect students include poor academic performance, interpersonal problem, safety concerns and distortion of student’s morals. The study recommended that Parents and guidance should constantly check their wards living off-campus in order to maintain strong bond with them so as to discourage them from engaging in disorderly conducts. The study also recommended that Government and management of institutions should revisit the Build, Operate and Transfer Policy (BOT) and adhere to its philosophy to boost provision of on-campus accommodation

Supporting Water-Food-Land Nexus policy coherence through integrated agrifood advisory and extension system in Egypt

Building policy coherence is significant in governing natural resources, especially in a changing climate and growing population. Designing and implementing coherent climate-adaptive water productivity policies through holistic and integrated knowledge could manage the growing demand for food and water, and sustain small-scale farmers’ livelihoods and economies, which is the aim of this research. This study focuses on the analysis of power dynamics and the social network that evolves around the control of information and technical assistance that shape policy narratives. Results showed that donors and financial institutions are the primary powers to control and organize knowledge and technical assistance linked to soil-water conservation especially when it’s combined with mobilizing relevant funds. Many smallholder farmers still adopt traditional patterns of cultivation due to the siloed knowledge gaps in the extension services of governmental entities, the unreachability of extension services, the lack of trust in their guidance, and the absence of innovations’ scalability. Building integrated extension services between ministries, by providing equal and suitable financial packages. This would be feasible by managing the coordination with financial institutions, monetary and non-monetary incentives, and building on existing farmers’ collective organizations and farmers’ pioneers to enable a sociological transition to water productivity.

National Innovation System and an Approach to Innovation Activities at the Scale of an Economic Sector: Some Theoretical Foundations

Innovation is one of the important factors for rapid and sustainable economic and social development in an internationally competitive environment. Identifying and analyzing the national innovation system is a necessary need, moving towards building policy solutions to support Vietnam's national innovation system. However, at the scale and level of an economic industry, this connotation can and should be developed and applied according to the industry innovation system approach.
 Keywords: National innovation system, sectoral innovation system, emerging innovation system, fragmented (dual) innovation system.

ADVANCING POSITIVE SOCIAL CONNECTIONS FOR OLDER ADULTS IN SUBSIDIZED HOUSING: A HUMAN-CENTERED DESIGN APPROACH

Abstract Social isolation is a complex problem that impacts many community-dwelling older adults and has detrimental impacts on mental and physical wellbeing of older adults. This research aims to utilize Human-Centered Design (HCD) to develop and implement tools and design ideas that advance positive social connections of older adults residing in subsidized housing. HCD is a collaborative process used to understand and define social problems, identify opportunities, generate ideas, and design interventions to support positive change. We sought to capture the perspectives and insights from older adults living in two federally subsidized housing communities in Baltimore, Maryland. During a five-month period, we held listening and brainstorming sessions with over 50 residents, service coordinators and members of management. Valuable insights and ideas were recorded during each of these facilitated engagements and synthesized. Through our engagements we identified six themes that influence the social connections of older adults living in subsidized housing: feelings of exclusion, lack of community connections, burdensome transitions to communal living, changes to building policies, and concerns about the physical environment. These themes led to the creation of interventions such as providing physical materials to residents, facilitating cultural inclusion and connections, implementing effective engagement strategies for community coordinators and promoting resident leadership. HCD can be employed to develop tools and innovative opportunities that specifically target and address social isolation in older adults living in subsidized housing. HCD can be utilized to drive changes to policies that impact older adults in subsidized housing leading to social transformations to improve health.

Solar Energy Policies for Commercial Buildings in India: Experiences of Building Owners and Managers

To fulfill the demands of a country that is fast developing and heavily reliant on fossil fuels, India’s energy sector has expanded rapidly. Since renewable energy sources are plentiful, limitless, and ecologically beneficial, they provide an alluring answer to the world’s mounting energy problems. Numerous initiatives have been taken in the direction of developing solar energy in all fields by the national and state-level governments in India. This study evaluates the various government initiatives for off-grid solar photovoltaic (SPV)/solar water heating (SWH) systems from the viewpoint of building owners and managers of commercial establishments in India. Building owners and managers rated environmental consciousness as the most important accelerator for installing SPV/SWH system. Limited financial and fiscal incentives from the government, limited sources of information with unclear, technical, and incomplete content, and government websites not being updated regularly were reported as the barriers hindering the installation of SPV/SWH systems in commercial establishments. The study thus identified gaps in the implementation of government initiatives and recommended improvements. The recommendations will go a long way in bringing all the stakeholders on the same page for the better functioning of the policy regime.