Study
SustainabilityHigh ImpactStrong effect

Building Longevity Reduces Unsustainable Material Recycling

Retaining and adapting existing urban structures, rather than rapid demolition and rebuilding, significantly contributes to sustainability by preserving embedded energy and reducing waste.

Iconarp International J of Architecture and Planning · 2019

01

Key Findings

  • 01Persistence of urban forms through inertia or deliberate decisions contributes to character and sustainability by preserving embedded energy.
  • 02Rapid recycling of structures after short lifespans can be unsustainable, impracticable, and unaffordable.
  • 03Understanding the dynamics of change and the agents involved is crucial for informing the potential contribution of form longevity to sustainability.
02

Application

Design takeaway

Designers should advocate for and implement strategies that extend the useful life of buildings and urban fabric, moving away from a culture of rapid obsolescence.

How to apply

When designing new buildings or urban interventions, research the existing urban fabric and explore opportunities for integration, adaptation, or preservation of historical elements.

Project actions

  • 01When researching a design problem, look at existing structures and consider how they could be adapted rather than replaced.
  • 02Investigate the embodied energy of materials used in both new and existing constructions.
03

Method & Evidence

AimTo investigate how the persistence and adaptation of urban forms, particularly in city centres, contribute to sustainability by examining the dynamics of change and retention.
MethodCase study analysis
ProcedureThe study examined the central business district of Birmingham, UK, focusing on periods of change and the retention of urban forms. It analyzed the extent of change following WWII bomb damage and discussed the agents responsible for urban form production and retention.
ContextUrban planning and architecture, focusing on city centre development.

Variables

IV["Rate of urban form change (rapid vs. slow)","Decision to retain or demolish existing structures"]
DV["Sustainability of urban development","Embedded energy preserved","Waste generated","Urban character"]
CV["Urban morphological context (city centre)","Historical period of analysis (post-WWII)"]
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Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Provides a historical perspective on urban change and sustainability.
  • +Connects urban morphology directly to environmental impact.

Limitations

The specific historical context of Birmingham might not directly apply to all design projects. Quantifying the exact 'embedded energy' saved can be complex.

Reliability & validity

The study's validity is strengthened by its focus on a specific case study with historical data. Reliability could be enhanced by quantifying the 'embedded energy' more precisely and comparing multiple urban centres.

Think critically

To what extent does the 'character' of an urban area, often preserved by older buildings, outweigh the potential benefits of modern, energy-efficient new constructions?

05

Design Principles

"Embrace adaptive reuse and design for longevity to enhance urban sustainability."

This challenges the notion that constant modernization is always beneficial. Designers and urban planners can leverage the concept of building persistence to create more environmentally responsible and character-rich urban environments.

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What This Means for Your Design

Instead of always building new things, it's often better for the environment to keep and update old buildings because they already have energy and materials in them.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Reference this study when discussing the environmental impact of demolition versus renovation in your design project's context.
  • 2.Use the findings to justify design choices that favour adaptive reuse or long-lasting construction.
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Add to My Project

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Quick Cite

(2019). Persistence, Inertia, Adaptation and Life Cycle: Applying Urban Morphological Ideas to Conceptualise Sustainable City-Centre Change. Iconarp International J of Architecture and Planning. https://doi.org/10.15320/iconarp.2019.78 Retrieved from https://designdex.org/study/12aa08da-973e-4c9e-9609-1b698a5093f4/building-longevity-reduces-unsustainable-material-recycling

Paragraph starter

Research by Larkham and Adams (2019) suggests that the persistence and adaptation of urban forms contribute significantly to sustainability by preserving embedded energy and reducing waste. Their analysis of Birmingham's city centre indicates that rapid demolition and rebuilding can be unsustainable, highlighting the importance of designing for longevity and considering adaptive reuse as a primary strategy.

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Source

Iconarp International J of Architecture and Planning

Persistence, Inertia, Adaptation and Life Cycle: Applying Urban Morphological Ideas to Conceptualise Sustainable City-Centre Change

journal · 2019

View source

Questions about this research

What does the research say about building longevity reduces unsustainable material recycling?
Designers should advocate for and implement strategies that extend the useful life of buildings and urban fabric, moving away from a culture of rapid obsolescence. Evidence: Iconarp International J of Architecture and Planning (2019).
Why does "Building Longevity Reduces Unsustainable Material Recycling" matter for design?
This challenges the notion that constant modernization is always beneficial. Designers and urban planners can leverage the concept of building persistence to create more environmentally responsible and character-rich urban environments.
How can designers apply this research?
Designers should advocate for and implement strategies that extend the useful life of buildings and urban fabric, moving away from a culture of rapid obsolescence.
What were the main findings?
Persistence of urban forms through inertia or deliberate decisions contributes to character and sustainability by preserving embedded energy.. Rapid recycling of structures after short lifespans can be unsustainable, impracticable, and unaffordable.. Understanding the dynamics of change and the agents involved is crucial for informing the potential contribution of form longevity to sustainability.
What research method was used?
Case study analysis.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2019 journal from Iconarp International J of Architecture and Planning.
What should I do differently in my next project?
When designing new buildings or urban interventions, research the existing urban fabric and explore opportunities for integration, adaptation, or preservation of historical elements.
What are the limitations?
The study's focus on a specific UK city centre may limit generalizability to all urban contexts. The definition and measurement of 'unsustainable recycling' could be further refined.
Is there evidence that urban affects design outcomes?
Keeping and adapting old buildings is more sustainable than constantly tearing them down and rebuilding, as it saves energy and reduces waste. This challenges the notion that constant modernization is always beneficial. Designers and urban planners can leverage the concept of building persistence to create more environ Source: Iconarp International J of Architecture and Planning (2019).
Where does this building longevity research apply?
Urban planning and architecture, focusing on city centre development. It sits within sustainability research on designdex.org.

Related research topics

urban design research · evidence on urban · does urban improve design outcomes · building longevity studies for designers · urban and building longevity findings · sustainability research evidence