Material metabolism of residential buildings in Sweden: Material intensity database, stocks and flows, and spatial analysis
Doctoral thesis, 2019
Residential buildings comprise a large share of the built environment. However, the material metabolism of these structures has remained unknown in many geographical contexts. Therefore, in this thesis, a bottom-up approach is employed to uncover the metabolism of residential buildings in Sweden. This goal is achieved through three methodological steps. First, a material intensity database is assembled based on architectural drawings of 46 residential buildings built within the period 1880–2010 in Sweden. Second, the stocks and flows are modeled with spatial and statistical inventory data and the developed material intensity database. Third, new spatial analysis approaches to the stocks and flows are conducted within urban and national boundaries. For the urban context, material stock indicators defined at the neighborhood level are clustered with well-known algorithms. At the national level, eight settlement types are considered to indicate the spatial dynamics.
The developed database indicates historical trends in terms of the material intensity and composition for residential buildings in Sweden. Moreover, the results contribute to establishing a global database and, through an extended international cross-comparison, to the understanding of how the material intensity and composition of residential buildings differ geographically. Furthermore, the stocks and flows are estimated in million metric tons at different administrative boundary levels. Among the six categories considered, mineral-binding materials, such as concrete, comprise the largest share of the accumulated stock. Finally, spatial differences in material stock composition are depicted in urban geography and nationally, among the eight settlement types. At national level, densely built-up corridors are identified, which should be used for enhancing material circularity.
This thesis contributes with data source exploration, methodological development, and critical analyses, relevant to researchers, policy makers, and practitioners interested in a more sustained metabolism of construction materials in the built environment.
clustering algorithms
single-family buildings
bottom-up modeling
residential buildings
human settlements
spatial analysis
multi-family buildings
material flow accounting
construction materials
material intensity database
material stock
urban stock
built environment
anthropogenic metabolism
Author
Paul Gontia
Chalmers, Architecture and Civil Engineering, Water Environment Technology
Material-intensity database of residential buildings: A case-study of Sweden in the international context
Resources, Conservation and Recycling,;Vol. 130(2018)p. 228-239
Journal article
Spatial analysis of urban material stock with clustering algorithms: A Northern European case study
Journal of Industrial Ecology,;Vol. 23(2019)p. 1328-1343
Journal article
Spatiotemporal characteristics of residential material stocks and flows in urban, commuter, and rural settlements
Journal of Cleaner Production,;Vol. 251(2020)
Journal article
Subject Categories
Civil Engineering
Architecture
Other Environmental Engineering
Environmental Analysis and Construction Information Technology
ISBN
978-91-7905-232-4
Doktorsavhandlingar vid Chalmers tekniska högskola. Ny serie: 4699
Publisher
Chalmers
SB-H4, Sven Hultins gata 6, Göteborg
Opponent: Johann Fellner, Vienna University of Technology, Austria