Environmental optimization of concrete sidewalks in urban areas

Abstract

Background, aim, and scope New neighborhoods and cities are built in both developing and developed countries worldwide. Given this urbanization context and current global environmental threats, the concept of sustainability will, in the long term, succeed or fail in cities. To succeed, we need to provide life-cycle-based data aimed at improving the environmental performance of new urban developments and redevelopments. This study discusses the installation criteria for three specific types of sidewalk; these criteria are currently based exclusively on economic and social factors, leading to design uniformity. This study also provides a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) of these three types of concrete sidewalks and identifies potential redesign solutions. If sidewalk design were adapted to specific usability requirements, the environmental impact factors associated with sidewalks, and therefore cities, would be significantly optimized and reduced.Materials and methods Although a wide range of materials and constructive solutions are available for sidewalk paving, this study focuses on three very common concrete-based systems with different functionalities in terms of traffic, surface characteristics, and maintenance (i.e., interlocking blocks, continuous concrete layer, and slabs set on a 10-, 12-, and 15-cm-thick concrete base). These systems are analyzed from a life cycle perspective. The impact assessment method used was CML 2 Baseline 2000; input data were provided by the City of Barcelona and other local municipal councils in Catalonia, Spain as well as by local producers.

Environmental analysis of rainwater harvesting infrastructures in diffuse and compact urban models of Mediterranean climate

“…These material impacts determined the D2 scenario to be the least favorable environmentally due to the structural reinforcement required in the construction of the building to offset the weight of the tank located on the roof on a pillar. Regarding the concrete used in the construction of the tank and the reinforcement, the cement content and the transport of components turn out to be the major contributors to the environmental impacts of concrete construction (Shuurmans et al 2005;Oliver-Solà et al 2009). In particular, cement clinker is the component with the greatest contribution in the final impact of concrete (Josa et al 2004(Josa et al , 2007.…”

Towards a green sustainable strategy for social neighbourhoods in Latin America: Case from social housing in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico

“…The design of sustainable cities is a key issue that addresses most of the global environmental problems that our society has created (Oliver-Solà, Josa, Gabarrell, & Rieradevall, 2009). Currently, cities exert enormous pressure on the natural environment.…”

Optimal Cement Mixtures Containing Mineral Admixtures under Multiple and Conflicting Criteria

“…In recent years, the environmental damages caused by the production of building materials have compelled the construction industry to seek for sustainable alternatives [1].…”

“…erefore, researchers have employed a variety of optimization approaches to find the best possible solutions in a single objective [1,17,[21][22][23][24][25][26]. Recommendations based on all the performance measures of interest to the user are more appropriate when compared with only the selection of a single solution pertaining to the measured objective.…”