SusBCity

Conforto ambiental no processo de projeto – uma experiência didática

Michele Marta Rossi — 2025-02-01

Numerous global crises (health, environmental, climate-related, among others) and the national reality, characterized by predominantly hot and humid climates, make the adoption of Environmental Comfort strategies essential from the very conception of the built environment. In this context, the present article aims to report the first offering of the elective course, AUT0231 Environmental Comfort in the Design Process, intended for Architecture and Urbanism students interested in the subject during the second semester of 2024 at the Faculty of Architecture, Urbanism and Design the University of São Paulo, Brazil. This didactic-pedagogical experience is aimed to equip the participating students with knowledge on the wide range of topics that link environmental comfort issues to the act of designing. The adopted approach allowed for consultations, analyses, discussions, and dynamics with invited professionals and faculty members, providing students with the opportunity to address contemporary issues while emphasizing the importance of environmental comfort in the various stages of project development. Student feedback was positive, and a second offering of the course was encouraged. For future editions, it is envisioned to include a project process notebook as one of the deliverables for students in the evaluations, in addition to increasing the use of physical models as a tool for project investigation, particularly in relation to the study of physical phenomena related to environmental confort.

Ibuted energy and environmental impact Of drinking water in Buenos Aires

John Martin Evans — 2025-02-01

The present paper establishes the embodied energy of water, the amount of energy needed for the extraction, purification and distribution, adding the pumping and treatment of wastewater, which complements the water supply. It analyses the case of the drinking water supply in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires and its Metropolitan Region. The conventional energy demand allows the calculation of the corresponding greenhouse gas emissions. The paper also estimates the inverse relationship, the water needed to generate electricity based on the volume passing through the hydroelectric turbines and the water lost in evaporation from the reservoirs. Next, the study compares the embodied energy of water supplied to a typical dwelling in the study region with the conventional energy used in the same dwelling. Finally, the typical water demand of the housing sector in the study region is compared with the rainwater resource to evaluate possible reductions of environmental impacts. The study shows that the embodied energy of water corresponds to 8 % of typical residential electrical energy demand, and 2 % of the total energy demand of this sector; a proportion that will increase when implementing energy efficiency measures. The final discussion shows that growing climatic variability and increasing demand will tend to reduce water availability in some zones and intensify the embodied energy of water.

Integration of planning and design approaches for the sustainable development of public and private infrastructure through a global analysis

Lucía de Fátima Velásquez Prieto — 2025-02-01

The increasing relevance of approaches that integrate planning and design for the sustainable development of public and private infrastructure on a global scale responds to challenges such as urbanization, climate change, and resource scarcity. This aims to optimize project sustainability and efficiency by considering environmental, social, and economic impacts. The objective of the study is to explore how the aforementioned integrated approaches can enhance the sustainability and efficiency of infrastructure projects globally. Specifically, it seeks to identify and analyze current trends, evaluate the impact of these approaches on project sustainability, and synthesize available evidence for future decisions. A systematic literature review was conducted, selecting articles based on rigorous criteria to ensure the quality and importance of the information. A mixed approach of qualitative and quantitative analysis was used to address the integration of approaches in planning and design. The results reveal that integrated approaches contribute to sustainability and efficiency in infrastructure projects. Adopting collaborative practices and considering multiple perspectives throughout the project lifecycle can overcome barriers and improve the implementation of sustainable infrastructure. It is concluded that the integration of such approaches is essential to address sustainability challenges at a global level. Further research and a holistic approach are recommended, including effective policies and strategic planning to continuously improve practice and theory in this vital field.

Numerical evaluation of the performance of a building with bioclimatic strategies in Panama city

Angienely Humphries — 2025-02-01

Sustainable buildings aim to minimize environmental impact by efficiently using resources, energy, and materials, while promoting the well-being of their inhabitants. This case study focuses on a bioclimatic building designed for vulnerable communities in Panama, oriented to the south. In this study, using the Designbuilder software, thermal performance analyses were conducted, mainly considering the use of natural ventilation through the PCVN and HSVN indicators; energy performance analysis, evaluating the use of air conditioning as a complement to natural ventilation during uncomfortable hours; evaluation of renewable energy generation potential, analyzing the use of a photovoltaic system through static and dynamic sizing; and the carbon footprint assessment of the building. The results showed that the PCVN was only 20%, affected by high humidity, while the HSVN reached 70%. Additionally, air conditioning use was analyzed as support for natural ventilation, and the implementation of a photovoltaic system that covers a large part of the building's energy demand. The results indicate that this approach not only improves interior comfort but also reduces CO₂ emissions, promoting sustainable design for vulnerable sectors.

Quality of control points in aerial images obtained through the use of unmanned vehicles

Enrique Pinto — 2025-02-01

The research work carries out an analysis of control points used in photogrammetric surveys with Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and the importance of the location and the number of control points necessary to guarantee the conditions of Colinarity¹ and Coplanarity [5] required for the construction of stereo models and the generation of point clouds and orthomosaic used in different fields of engineering and architecture.

Application of artificial intelligence tools in architectural design by students and professionals in Panama

Luis Felipe Donoso — 2025-02-01

Artificial Intelligence-based (AI) tools are revolutionizing the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry worldwide by automating repetitive tasks, generating multiple alternatives, and optimizing the use of resources, greatly enriching and improving the design process. This article presents the results of a convenience sampling-based research conducted between July 12 and July 23, 2024 among Architecture students and professionals in Panama. The purpose of the aforementioned convenience sampling was to be aware of the knowledge, application, and development of Artificial Intelligence tools in Panama. In addition, a literature analysis was carried out regarding the use of AI in the AIC industry in Panama. The results show an incipient use of artificial intelligence tools, evidencing a critical gap in the academic preparation processes of current and future professionals - an essential situation to achieve significant advances in the Panamanian AIC industry. On the other hand, it includes -as a demonstration- the application of an AI tool -Stable Diffusion- aimed at developing material alternatives of the architectural concept of a project and its benefits in architectural design processes.

Ridge trees

Carlos Maestre — 2025-02-01

This research focused on the tree characterization and the assessment of their environmental benefits in the La Cresta neighborhood, situated in the township of Bella Vista, Panama City. The criteria evaluated for the characterization included the diameter at breast height, average height, basal and foliage area, as well as tree cover. For the environmental benefits, the evaluation included climate change mitigation, shade, and air quality. The findings indicate that the trees on the ridge provide a variety of ecosystem services, such as capturing 1139.07 tons of carbon, improving air quality by filtering 205.8 g/day of PM2.5, and regulating temperature through 20,580.6 square meters of shade. Despite the current 4.06% forest cover, the need to increase this proportion is emphasized to optimize ecological and social benefits, promoting sustainability in urban contexts.

Criteria for selecting land for a research center in the Santa Fe National Park

Rómulo Antonio Jordán Donoso — 2025-02-01

The objective of this research is to provide a decision-making tool for site selection through specific land selection and evaluation criteria. This study focuses on a research center within a national park. The selection criteria include characteristics that enhance the efficient operation of the center, such as proximity to wildlife observation areas and location within a public use or special management zone. Additionally, the selected sites are evaluated based on parameters such as accessibility, connectivity, urban vitality, footprint impact on nearby communities, and biodiversity. In this study, three sites within Santa Fe National Park were selected, including one located on the slopes of Cerro Tute. This site scored 7.4/10 and, according to the criteria evaluated, is classified as "efficient" for the development of the project.

Characterization of the urban morphology of a sector of Betania and Pueblo Nuevo between the 12 de Octubre and Ingenio metro stations

Jorge Isaac Perén Montero — 2025-02-01

Urban morphology is characterized in a sector of Betania and Pueblo Nuevo, between the 12 de Octubre and Ingenio metro stations. This sector is growing and still lacks high-rise buildings, so the study is pertinent. The sector has extremely large urban blocks, above the ideal size. The Transisthmian Highway has low pedestrian connectivity, as it has almost no complete intersection within a range of 1 kilometer. However, the sector has the potential to be readjusted through territorial planning instruments or urban interventions that are aware of the sector's shortcomings.

San Juan de Dios Hospital. Fist Asylum and Hospital of the city of Santiago

Sebastián Ariel Aguilar Medina — 2025-02-01

This article is based on the research called Evolution and Development of Religious Architecture in the Province of Veraguas, using the architectural and historiographical research compiled and analyzed on the San Juan de Dios Church, the first church in Santiago de Veraguas, and one of the first buildings of the Colonial era in the region. Elements such as its foundation, constructive evolution, materials, and origin are analyzed. This article is developed chronologically to further clarify the panorama of the study of this Church, which is an essential part of this city more than four hundred years ago.