Methodology for Quantification and Identification of Environmental Aspect in Urban Infrastructure Projects in the Planning Phase

The accelerated development of construction has positively boosted the economy but caused environmental pollution. The objective of this article was to propose a model to quantify and identify the causes of environmental aspects in urban infrastructure projects during the pre-construction phase. The...

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Main Authors: Adolpho Guido de Araújo, Alexandre Duarte Gusmão, Arnaldo Manoel Pereira Carneiro, Rachel Perez Palha
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Buildings
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/8/1328
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author Adolpho Guido de Araújo
Alexandre Duarte Gusmão
Arnaldo Manoel Pereira Carneiro
Rachel Perez Palha
author_facet Adolpho Guido de Araújo
Alexandre Duarte Gusmão
Arnaldo Manoel Pereira Carneiro
Rachel Perez Palha
author_sort Adolpho Guido de Araújo
collection DOAJ
description The accelerated development of construction has positively boosted the economy but caused environmental pollution. The objective of this article was to propose a model to quantify and identify the causes of environmental aspects in urban infrastructure projects during the pre-construction phase. The methodology included ten environmental aspects and six construction activities, distributed in three phases: quantification, preparation of an inventory and identification of the main causes of environmental aspects. The results of projects A, B and C confirmed five environmental aspects with quantifications of the maximum normalized unitary ratios, namely greenhouse gas emissions with 1.00, 1.00 and 1.00; energy use with 0.99, 0.99 and 1.00; noise pollution with 0.84, 0.89 and 1.00; water use with 0.95, 1.00 and 0.96 and use of resources and raw materials with 1.00, 1.00 and 1.00, caused by the construction methods, machines, materials and environmental conditions of the urban infrastructure project. This proposal was the first initiative to analytically and previously investigate the environmental performance of future infrastructure works, assisting in the strategies of the pre-construction phase and improving the decision-making process regarding environmental issues in constructions. Finally, this initial effort may evolve to create opportunities to avoid, mitigate, reduce or accept the environmental effects in the infrastructure projects in developing countries.
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spelling doaj-art-d19dae940f0c4a5ea71e7fbc9d3a1c7f2025-08-20T02:17:19ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092025-04-01158132810.3390/buildings15081328Methodology for Quantification and Identification of Environmental Aspect in Urban Infrastructure Projects in the Planning PhaseAdolpho Guido de Araújo0Alexandre Duarte Gusmão1Arnaldo Manoel Pereira Carneiro2Rachel Perez Palha3Departament of Civil Engineering, Escola Politécnica da Universidade de Pernambuco, Recife 50720-001, BrazilDepartament of Civil Engineering, Escola Politécnica da Universidade de Pernambuco, Recife 50720-001, BrazilDepartament of Civil Engineering, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50670-901, BrazilDepartament of Civil Engineering, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50670-901, BrazilThe accelerated development of construction has positively boosted the economy but caused environmental pollution. The objective of this article was to propose a model to quantify and identify the causes of environmental aspects in urban infrastructure projects during the pre-construction phase. The methodology included ten environmental aspects and six construction activities, distributed in three phases: quantification, preparation of an inventory and identification of the main causes of environmental aspects. The results of projects A, B and C confirmed five environmental aspects with quantifications of the maximum normalized unitary ratios, namely greenhouse gas emissions with 1.00, 1.00 and 1.00; energy use with 0.99, 0.99 and 1.00; noise pollution with 0.84, 0.89 and 1.00; water use with 0.95, 1.00 and 0.96 and use of resources and raw materials with 1.00, 1.00 and 1.00, caused by the construction methods, machines, materials and environmental conditions of the urban infrastructure project. This proposal was the first initiative to analytically and previously investigate the environmental performance of future infrastructure works, assisting in the strategies of the pre-construction phase and improving the decision-making process regarding environmental issues in constructions. Finally, this initial effort may evolve to create opportunities to avoid, mitigate, reduce or accept the environmental effects in the infrastructure projects in developing countries.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/8/1328civil constructioninfrastructuresustainabilityenvironmental aspect
spellingShingle Adolpho Guido de Araújo
Alexandre Duarte Gusmão
Arnaldo Manoel Pereira Carneiro
Rachel Perez Palha
Methodology for Quantification and Identification of Environmental Aspect in Urban Infrastructure Projects in the Planning Phase
Buildings
civil construction
infrastructure
sustainability
environmental aspect
title Methodology for Quantification and Identification of Environmental Aspect in Urban Infrastructure Projects in the Planning Phase
title_full Methodology for Quantification and Identification of Environmental Aspect in Urban Infrastructure Projects in the Planning Phase
title_fullStr Methodology for Quantification and Identification of Environmental Aspect in Urban Infrastructure Projects in the Planning Phase
title_full_unstemmed Methodology for Quantification and Identification of Environmental Aspect in Urban Infrastructure Projects in the Planning Phase
title_short Methodology for Quantification and Identification of Environmental Aspect in Urban Infrastructure Projects in the Planning Phase
title_sort methodology for quantification and identification of environmental aspect in urban infrastructure projects in the planning phase
topic civil construction
infrastructure
sustainability
environmental aspect
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/8/1328
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