Buildings for the 21st Century

Currently, we are consuming at a rate more than 1.8 times the Earth's total capacity. If no technological and policy changes are introduced, we will require almost three planets by 2050. Building construction industries are resource-intensive, as they consume 40% of non-renewable resources and are responsible for a large share of global energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, buildings in the 21st century should be resource-efficient, made of low-carbon materials and affordable to meet the needs of a growing population. This Reprint contains a wide range of topics, including innovative building design, energy efficiency/efficient end-use appliances, resource conservation, alternative construction materials, innovative or smart building management, and sustainability assessment tools, which will help us to address the sustainability challenges of building industries in the 21st century.