A systematic framework to reduce urban embodied carbon emissions using urban scale simulation

The construction industry significantly contributes to carbon emissions. While individual buildings reduce emissions, city-wide policies can unintentionally increase urban emissions due to limited data and complex factors. This research presents a systematic framework for high-resolution urban building stock data and a simulation model to quantify embodied carbon impacts. Using the Chicago metropolitan area, over one million buildings and 350,000 iterations were simulated, providing insights into CO2 emissions under various urban planning scenarios. The study highlights that buildings with a 50-year lifespan emit three times more CO2 than those lasting 80 years, and a 20% change in building area can negate longevity benefits. Renovation strategies are recommended to extend lifespans, urging city planners to adopt regulations that promote renovations as buildings age. This research supports city planners, construction policymakers, and environmental engineers in mitigating urban carbon emissions effectively.