Enhancing energy sustainability of building projects through nature-based solutions: A fuzzy-based decision support system

• Published in: Nature-based solutions Vol. 5; p. 100107
• Main Authors: Bressane, Adriano, Fengler, Felipe Hashimoto, Medeiros, Liliam César de Castro, Urban, Rodrigo Custodio, Negri, Rogério Galante
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01-06-2024; Elsevier
• Subjects: Decision support framework; Fuzzy intelligence; Green building; Sustainable engineering; Decision support framework; Green building; Sustainable engineering; Fuzzy intelligence
• ISSN: 2772-4115; 2772-4115
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nbsj.2023.100107

•Environmental Impact: The paper addresses the potential of NbS to enhance the energy sustainability of building projects.•Economic Implications: The innovative approach provides benefits through energy savings and efficient project implementation.•Social Relevance: The proposed DSS framework demonstrates a commitment to enhancing the livability of buildings.
Statement of the Problem. Lack of an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven approach to optimize the application of nature-based solutions (NbS) for enhancing energy sustainability in building projects. This gap can result in suboptimal decision-making processes. Purpose. This study aims at introducing a decision support system (DSS) framework that fuses NbS with the power of fuzzy – based AI. The proposal seeks to support decision-makers and empower them with the capabilities of AI. Method. Through a systematic literature review, the aim was to first capture models’ input variables for the development of a DSS framework using fuzzy logic. Conclusions. Our findings underscore the significance of an integrated approach in energy-efficient building projects. The integration of NbS with fuzzy-based AI showcases substantial promise in augmenting decision-making processes, promoting optimized designs that align with both environmental and technological objectives. Practical implications. The proposed DSS framework can lead to improved building project outcomes, reduced environmental footprints, and more resilient infrastructure regarding energy consumption. Future Research Directions: further research endeavors should delve deeper into the practical implementation of the DSS framework across diverse engineering projects. Exploring variations of fuzzy-AI could further enhance the decision support system. Additionally, investigating the potential barriers and challenges in adopting this approach will be crucial in ensuring its widespread adoption.