Research on collaborative path planning of UAV swarms for urban logistics distribution in dense building environments

Short auditory cues in enclosed built environments (such as elevator calls, access control, navigation, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) notifications) influence not only usability but also stress and perceptions of well-being in daily indoor life. However, acoustic research remains largely focused on physical properties, and the psychophysiological impact of such short auditory cues remains under-quantified. To address this gap, a neuroscience-based evaluation approach, the Acoustic User Experience and Emotion (AUEX) model, is proposed. This model integrates functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), electrodermal activity (EDA), and the User Experience Questionnaire (UEQ). With 33 in-cabin prompt sounds as a controlled typology of short auditory cues in an enclosed setting, we set up a simulated interaction experiment with 20 participants in a driving simulator vehicle cabin to investigate the relationship between acoustic properties and cognitive load, arousal, and user experience. The results show that timbre is the key factor, which was correlated positively with overall UX (r = 0.414) and negatively with prefrontal ΔHbO (CH3: r = −0.368; l-DLPFC: r = −0.449), indicating a decrease in cognitive load and a relaxed affective state. Conversely, high-frequency signals improved pragmatic quality but increased physiological arousal, which negatively affected hedonic assessment. To facilitate the translation of evaluation results into practice, we also completed a design phase that converted the AUEX results into scenario-based parameter targets and prototype designs for functional, warning, and brand/affective cues, illustrating how evidence-based relationships can be translated into design-ready outputs for enclosed built environments. These results confirm the AUEX approach as a transferable method for designing short auditory cues for well-being and provide parameter-level implications for therapeutic and human-centered sound design in smart buildings, intelligent vehicles, and other enclosed built environments. Overall, the AUEX approach provides a transferable evaluation-to-design workflow for short auditory cues in enclosed interactive contexts; however, direct generalization from a single controlled vehicle cabin setting to real-world building environments should be validated through future field studies. Accordingly, the present findings are positioned as evidence from a controlled enclosed case rather than universal conclusions for all enclosed spaces.

University campus green spaces function as critical microcosms of urban building environments, directly advancing Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) through evidence-based landscape design. Taking a large university in China as the research object, this study integrates virtual reality (VR) simulations with synchronized psychophysiological measurements and perceptual scales to quantify how three planting modes—clustered, scattered, and regular—influence restorative experiences across teaching, living, and administrative areas. Rigorous data processing ensured robustness. The results revealed functional-area-specific restoration pathways: clustered planting enhanced relaxation in living zones, scattered planting elevated vitality in teaching areas, and regular planting reinforced security perception in administrative spaces. A path model was used to elucidate how four-dimensional (4D) landscape indicators (openness, pleasantness, diversity, focus) mediate psychological and physiological responses. Theoretically, this 4D framework translates abstract restorative experiences into operable design dimensions; methodologically, VR-based multi-source measurement offers a replicable technical pathway for scheme verification; practically, it serves as a quantitative tool for planting optimization. Critically, these campus-derived insights offer transferable design principles for enhancing well-being across urban building environments, delivering a replicable VR-assisted framework that directly contributes to sustainable cities through human-centered, evidence-based landscape solutions.

With the progression of urban renewal, the functional transformation of numerous old industrial heritage buildings has imposed new demands on their indoor physical environments. This paper focuses on the adaptive renovation of thermal environments in old industrial buildings, using two case studies: Welding Workshop (Before Renovation) and the Cylinder Casting Workshop (After Renovation) of Hefei Motor Factory and Diesel Engine Factory. By integrating on-site thermal environment measurements and subjective thermal sensation questionnaires, we employs statistical regression methods to analyze the relationship between operative temperature and actual thermal sensation (MTS) and subjective thermal discomfort. The study identifies the acceptable temperature range and duration proportion in old industrial buildings, and further compares objective and subjective differences in human thermal comfort between summer and transitional seasons in the same workshop. Based on the acceptable duration proportion, a quantitative relationship between subjective sensations and operative temperature is established. These findings offer theoretical and empirical support for green renovation strategies of existing industrial buildings and design optimization of new constructions. Practical application This study provides empirical, decision-support evidence for the green renovation of industrial heritage. At its core, it establishes operative temperature as a critical design parameter and adopts the acceptable duration proportion of thermal comfort as a quantifiable target—thereby translating comfort needs into actionable design language. The data support a practical approach combining enhanced building envelope performance with flexible indoor environmental adjustments to balance heritage preservation and thermal comfort improvements. This research framework can be integrated into the design justification, scheme comparison, and post-occupancy evaluation processes of similar projects, offering a scientific and operational reference for enhancing environmental performance in the adaptive reuse of industrial heritage.

Insufficient physical activity and excessive sedentary behavior are growing public health concerns in rapidly urbanizing Asian cities. Built environment characteristics may influence these behaviors, but region-specific evidence remains limited. This review synthesized associations between built environment characteristics and physical activity or sedentary behavior in urban Asia. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines (PROSPERO CRD42023396292), 5 databases (Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library) were searched for English-language articles published between 2012 and 2024. Articles were included if they examined associations between built environment characteristics and physical activity or sedentary behavior among adults in urban areas of Asia. Statistically significant associations were synthesized descriptively. Of 14,549 records screened, 98 articles from 13 countries met inclusion criteria, most using cross-sectional designs (96.9%). A total of 261 associations were identified, focusing on overall (37.9%), recreational (31.4%), and transport-related (29.9%) physical activity; only 2 associations (0.8%) addressed sedentary behavior. Supportive built environments were more often associated with increased physical activity (n = 208) than with decreased (n = 38). Overall physical activity was commonly associated with recreational facilities and land-use mix; recreational activity with recreational facilities and aesthetics; and transport-related activity with land-use mix and residential density. In urban Asia, 208 of 261 significant associations showed that supportive built environments were associated with increased physical activity. Land-use mix and access to recreational facilities were most consistently supportive. These findings highlight the need for context-sensitive urban planning and more research on sedentary behavior.

The Built Environment and Reservoirs of Antimicrobial Resistance: Are Mitigation and Prevention Possible Using Design and Daily Facility Operations Strategies?

A Soft Systems Methodology for Renewable Energy Research in the Built Environment: A Case Study of Coloured Solar Photovoltaics in Luxembourg

Ten questions concerning circularity in the built environment

Impact of coal stockpile heat dissipation characteristics on indoor thermal environment in semi-transparent membrane storage buildings

ABSTRACT Natural building offers considerable potential to reduce embodied carbon while making housing and material choices a critical arena for climate action. This study investigates how aesthetic experience in natural building environments can foster public participation and support low-carbon housing practices. Focusing on the Family of Four natural building pavilion at the 2018 Taichung World Flora Exposition, the analysis examines how visitors perceived natural materials and how these perceptions influenced their willingness to engage in everyday building and living practices. Data were collected through 34 semi-structured interviews and analyzed using the M – C – D – L (Material, Construction, Design, Lifestyle) framework. Principal component analysis (PCA) and K-means clustering identified three participant types exhibiting distinct levels of practice willingness. The findings reveal that natural building aesthetics function not only as sensory and cultural values but also as a participatory form of climate communication. By linking beauty, behavior, and housing futures, aesthetic experience operates as a climate service that makes low-carbon living emotionally legible and socially desirable. The study contributes to socially and culturally grounded architectural research by framing natural building as both a material technology and a participatory practice, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on cities, consumption, and climate action.

Transfer learning-informed sensor validation for detecting and diagnosing unseen air quality faults in underground building environment

Effects of Smart Polymer-dispersed Liquid Crystal Window Film on Indoor Environment and Air-conditioning Electricity Consumption of Buildings in Taiwan

Nonmetal doping extends the photocatalytic response of TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) into the visible light region; however, systematic evaluations of how specific dopants influence their antimicrobial performance remain limited. In this study, we present a direct comparison of carbon-doped TiO2 (C-TiO2) and nitrogen-doped TiO2 (N-TiO2) NPs synthesized via a sol-gel method. Structural and optoelectronic properties were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (p-XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis DRS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), confirming dopant incorporation and band gap narrowing. Carbon doping resulted in a more pronounced band gap reduction (2.66 eV compared with 3.09 eV for N-TiO2), which correlated with stronger visible light absorption and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Under visible light irradiation, C-TiO2 NPs achieved 80% eradication of Staphylococcus aureus biofilms and 69% eradication of Escherichia coli biofilms, corresponding to a ∼1.5-fold higher antibiofilm activity relative to N-TiO2 NPs. Differences in bacterial susceptibility were associated with cell envelope architecture, in which the outer phospholipid membrane of Gram-negative Escherichia coli likely limited ROS penetration and contributed to lower eradication efficiency compared with Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus. These findings demonstrate that dopant selection directly modulates photocatalytic functionality and identify C-TiO2 NPs as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial material. The results have implications for the rational design of TiO2-based nanomaterials in antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT), indoor building environments where pathogen control is essential, environmental remediation, and the development of next-generation self-disinfecting surfaces.

With the rapid development of science and technology, the integration of artificial intelligence into the entire life cycle of the built environment is accelerating, demonstrating a broad range of potential applications in planning evaluation, design simulation, construction management, and operation and maintenance [...]

Introduction Open-plan office environments are widely implemented in contemporary workplace design due to their potential to enhance collaboration, flexibility, and spatial efficiency. Nevertheless, growing evidence indicates that such environments may adversely affect employees’ comfort, privacy, and overall performance, particularly within educational institutions. This study aims to evaluate the performance of open-plan office workplaces and assess their effectiveness in supporting employees’ productivity, comfort, and satisfaction within a Saudi Arabian educational context. Methods A post-occupancy evaluation (POE) approach was adopted using a mixed-methods research design. Data collection methods included a structured questionnaire survey, semi-structured interviews with permanent occupants, and systematic walkthrough inspections. Drawing on an extensive review of relevant literature, a multicriteria performance evaluation framework comprising 39 technical, functional, and behavioral performance elements was developed. This framework was applied to a case study of open-plan office environments at Onaizah Colleges, Saudi Arabia. Results The results reveal that occupants expressed general satisfaction with thermal comfort, visual comfort, office layout, workplace circulation, and opportunities for collaboration. Conversely, notable dissatisfaction was identified in relation to acoustic comfort, privacy, and the adequacy of workplace equipment. These deficiencies were found to have a negative impact on occupants’ concentration, sense of autonomy, and perceived productivity. Discussion This study contributes to the existing literature by presenting an integrated, user-centered POE framework for assessing open-plan office environments in educational buildings. The findings provide evidence-based insights that can support architects, designers, and facility managers in improving workplace performance and informing future design and operational decisions in similar institutional settings.

Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities Supportive Service Programs (NORC-SSPs) are one of the most popular models of aging in place. While the existing NORC literature focuses on the social and service environments of these programs, their built environments remain underexplored, particularly across housing tenures. This study is the first to explore the built environment, social integration, and socio-demographic factors among older people living in NORCs in New York, and their associations with health and well-being. The mixed-methods research included qualitative (interviews with NORC directors) and quantitative (151 resident surveys and an architectural assessment) data on 26 housing developments in New York, collected simultaneously using a convergent parallel design. The findings show that socialization and exercise improve the health and quality of life of NORC residents. The study also revealed that older people living in public housing have different needs than those in cooperative housing, namely a worse perception of their health and dwellings of a poorer physical condition. Therefore, the services offered by NORC programs should vary according to housing type, while management and NORC staff should improve coordination to address maintenance in public housing. Future research should examine interventions to improve the physical environments of NORC residents.

Purpose Conventional tracer gas testing, using conservative tracer gases (like SF6 or CO2), is the most accurate method for assessing air change rates, but it can be expensive and cumbersome to perform. Using water vapor as unconventional tracer gas has been proposed as an alternative, but it has not been broadly validated through the build environment. This paper evaluates water vapor tracer gas testing in a new context. Design/methodology/approach Eight simultaneous water vapor and CO2 tracer gas tests were conducted on a Mongolian ger (or “yurt” in Russian). The air change rates from the water vapor (ACHH2O) and CO2 tracer gas tests (ACHCO2) were compared to evaluate the accuracy of the method. Findings Under ideal conditions, the ACHH2O values were accurate within 21–41% of the ACHCO2 values (consistent with the literature). Indoor combustion and rainstorms were identified to cause higher errors (70–88% and 76%, respectively). Research limitations/implications Limitations in the accuracy and deployment of the sensors made characterization of the air change rate (ACH) errors challenging. However, the agreement between the ACHH2O and ACHCO2 observed in this study was consistent with other lower cost alternatives to conventional tracer gas testing. Originality/value This paper evaluates water vapor tracer gas testing in a new residential building type, and it is the first study to consider water vapor tracer gas testing in the presence of indoor combustion and after a rainstorm.

ABSTRACT Background Grounded in knowledge‐building theory, which posits learning as the collaborative advancement of community knowledge, existing research often overlooks the systematic documentation and reflective iteration of the learning process. This gap limits students' opportunities to engage in the epistemic practises central to knowledge advancement. Objectives This study aims to design and implement a principle‐based knowledge‐building (KB) environment scaffolded by Knowledge Forum (KF) to investigate how this environment supports collaborative inquiry, process documentation, and artefact creation in STEM learning. Methods We conducted a mixed‐methods study with 171 undergraduate students enrolled in a STEM education course over four months. The designed KB environment integrated KB principles with KF's discursive and visualisation tools. Data included KF interaction analytics, discourse analysis of KF notes, artefact assessments using a validated rubric, and an in‐depth case study of one group's project on preserving Yao Long Drum traditions. Results Quantitative analysis confirmed that KF interaction significantly predicted artefact quality, mediated by high‐level discourse moves such as synthesising. Qualitative analysis of the case study demonstrated how KB scaffolds (e.g., My Theory, A Better Theory) guided students to progress from abstract problem identification (e.g., ‘cultural confidence’) to transdisciplinary solutions (e.g., digital emojis and ethnographic videos), making their iterative design visible, recordable, and improvable. Conclusion The study demonstrates that a deliberately designed KB environment functions as a socio‐dynamic, process‐oriented system where documentation, discourse, and design co‐evolve. It provides a replicable model for using principle‐based scaffolds to make learning processes tangible, thereby fostering epistemic agency and culturally grounded innovation in STEM education.

Since the Brundtland Report (1987), its definition has anchored sustainable development. An EBSCOhost co-mention scan (1987–2025) finds 259,112 records linking “sustainable development” with the Brundtland Report—used only as a descriptive attention proxy, sensitive to coverage, indexing, keywords, and residual duplicates. We then analyze concept-to-implementation barriers in building governance and propose an update pathway: explicit boundaries, minimum disclosures, and assurance logic. Yet in the built environment—characterized by long-lived assets, carbon lock-in, and net-zero commitments—the definition is difficult to operationalize without explicit boundaries, measurable indicators, and auditable trade-offs. We identify two concept-level weaknesses: (1) the definition reflects late-twentieth-century socio-technical conditions and offers limited guidance for practice shaped by digitalized delivery and operations, accelerated climate policy, and whole-life carbon accounting; and (2) its openness around “needs,” “harm,” and trade-offs enables boundary ambiguity (e.g., operational versus embodied emissions), fragmented standards and certifications, and greenwashing risks. We propose a built-environment update pathway that (i) operationalizes “needs” and “harm” through a minimum life-cycle indicator set linking affordability and occupant well-being with operational energy performance and whole-life carbon outcomes; and (ii) strengthens concept-consistent implementation via harmonized boundary declarations and verification principles across existing net-zero and green building tools, supported by targeted AEC capacity building.

Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) concepts have emerged as a means for reviewing and ensuring the effectiveness of energy efficiency measures (EEMs) in smart buildings. Nevertheless, high technological and regulatory demands imposed by the Energy Efficiency Directive, Article 8 (EED 8), result in limited adaptation, which makes the transition of the MRV concept into a practically applied framework a challenging endeavor. A significant concern lies in ensuring data integrity, accuracy and transparency throughout the entire adaptation and implementation process of the MRV concept. This study addresses these challenges by developing and evaluating a structured MRV framework tailored to smart building environments. The MRV framework design was tested in a real-world use case in Berlin, demonstrating its applicability for measuring, reporting and verifying energy efficiency data from smart buildings. The results confirmed the applicability of the approach, while also revealing persistent barriers related to data sovereignty, security and interoperability. Ensuring trust, transparency and long-term data accessibility requires robust governance structures and alignment with legal and ethical standards. Future work will focus on scaling the MRV framework to additional sectors and refining mechanisms for secure data sharing and automated verification.