Editorial: Digital innovation for climate adaptation and sustainable development: emerging solutions for the built environment

The built environment today is confronted by intersecting pressures that expose the sheer complexity of creating sustainable and digitally enhanced futures. Climate change, demographic shifts, resource constraints and accelerating technological development are reshaping expectations of how buildings and cities should perform. Yet the pathways forward are anything but straightforward. As the built environment adopts data-driven tools, climate-responsive modelling, circular practices and new sustainability assessment frameworks, it becomes clear that even technical measures are closely shaped by the social, institutional and policy dynamics that surround them.In the UK, recent policy developments indicate a clear shift in how the built environment is expected to be planned, delivered and managed. The Net Zero Strategy (HM Government, 2021), the Construction Playbook (Cabinet Office, 2022), the TIP Roadmap to 2030 and the UK BIM Framework all articulate the need for systemically integrated, digitally supported and outcomes-oriented approaches. The Climate Change Committee's progress report further identifies the built environment as a critical domain of climate adaptation and warns that progress remains too slow, especially where digital and organisational change intersect with climate resilience (CCC, 2025). Together, these developments point away from fragmented, transactional practices and toward a value-driven, information-rich whole-life perspective on assets and infrastructure. Digitalisation, through integrated data environments, digital twins, predictive analytics and automation, is thus positioned not simply as a technological enhancement but as a foundation for achieving policy ambitions related to carbon, productivity, health and resilience.At the same time, sustainability imperatives continue to intensify. The growing influence of the UK's Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard (NZCBS), alongside the expanding focus on embodied-carbon reporting, marks a shift from high-level commitments toward more operational and measurable expectations of performance. The challenge, however, extends beyond decarbonisation to include adaptation, with issues such as overheating, flood resilience and urban heat-island effects now recognised as significant factors shaping decisions across the built environment.These pressures intersect with wider international commitments embedded in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). Collectively, they call for responses that integrate technical capability with organisational change and the socio-political conditions that shape decision-making across the built environment.This issue is situated precisely at the convergence of these agendas. The papers collectively explore how digital tools, innovative materials and sustainability frameworks can be designed and deployed to advance climate action, enhance building performance, improve urban resilience, and support social well-being. Whether through advanced simulation, adaptive comfort modelling, smart data infrastructures, circularity-enabling mechanisms such as digital product passports or evaluation frameworks that link technological systems with societal goals, the work presented here underscores the increasingly systemic nature of research in the built environment. They highlight that sustainability is no longer restricted to energy efficiency or material optimisation; it now involves managing the information lifecycles, governance structures and socio-technical interactions that underpin complex urban systems.A significant theme emerging across contemporary built-environment scholarship, reflected in this SASBE issue, is the growing recognition that digitalisation is inseparable from sustainability. Data and information management are becoming fundamental to the delivery of resource-efficient, low-carbon and adaptable environments. Policies in the UK and internationally now emphasise standardised information flows, interoperability, lifecycle data capture, and transparent performance metrics. Digital twins, machine-learning-based prediction models, sensor-based monitoring systems and integrated delivery platforms are not merely operational tools; they could form the backbone of future regulatory environments and value frameworks. Their role in enabling whole-life performance management, predictive maintenance, demand-side flexibility and circular material flows makes them indispensable to achieving SDGs and national policy targets.Research in this SASBE issue foregrounds this complexity, reinforcing that sustainability is a multifaceted challenge requiring interdisciplinary approaches, community engagement, and policy alignment alongside technical excellence. Overall, the contributions in this SASBE issue demonstrate that the pathway to a smarter and more sustainable built environment is a systemic one. It requires aligning digital innovation with sustainability imperatives, embedding policy frameworks within practical tools and ensuring that human well-being remains central to technological progress. As nations strive towards net zero, climate adaptation and equitable urban futures, research such as this plays a vital role in informing policy, guiding industry transformation, and expanding the knowledge foundations of the built environment disciplines.The editors commend the authors whose work forms this issue and trust that the insights presented here will inspire further collaboration across research, practice and policy. The transformation of the built environment, accelerated by digitalisation and driven by sustainability needs, represents one of the defining challenges and opportunities of our time. We hope that this collection contributes to ongoing dialogue and supports new forms of inquiry as the sector responds to an increasingly complex set of future challenges.Wuni et al. (2025) investigate performance improvements attributable to integrated digital delivery (IDD) in construction projects. IDD uses digital technologies, data and platforms to integrate work processes and connect all stakeholders throughout the construction and building lifecycle. While the benefits of digital technologies are often cited to justify IDD adoption, these benefits remain under-researched and unverified. The authors combined questionnaire surveys, statistical analysis, social network analysis and fuzzy synthetic evaluation to investigate IDD benefits in Hong Kong construction projects. The methodology ranked IDD benefits, assessed benefit categories and modelled relationships between benefits. The results identified 22 significant benefits of IDD, grouped into six categories: design, cost, collaboration, sustainability, procurement and productivity benefits. Design and collaboration benefits ranked at the top, with “high quality and faster preparation of designs” and “improved information exchange and management” as the most important benefits in these clusters. The weighted network model showed that IDD benefits are significantly correlated. “Cost savings associated with digital project delivery,” “improved work and project quality,” and “high quality and faster preparation of designs and calculations” were identified as the most influential benefits.Baba et al. (2025) compare adaptive daily and seasonal cooling setpoints on energy consumption and overheating hours in desert climates. They develop a methodology that integrates passive strategies with adaptive setpoint strategies and assesses the impacts under future climate conditions. The approach evaluates setpoints using mixed-mode operation with natural ventilation and gradually adds mitigation measures, such as cool roofs and green roofs, if overheating exceeds acceptable limits. The findings show that a building complying with the Dubai Green Code had a cooling energy consumption of 92 kWh/m2 in 2021, with a 24 °C setpoint. Adaptive seasonal setpoint, combined with a cool roof, night cooling and cross-ventilation, reduces consumption by 52%, 48% and 35% in 2020, 2050 and 2090, respectively, with overheating hours not exceeding 40 h annually. Adaptive daily setpoints with the same measures achieve 57%, 42% and 34% reductions for 2020, 2050 and 2090, respectively, while eliminating overheating hours entirely. The study demonstrates effective strategies for optimising cooling setpoints without excessive overheating in desert climates under current and future conditions.Zara et al. (2025) investigate the thermophysical parameters that influence heating and cooling energy consumption in lightweight residential buildings under subtropical climates. Lightweight building systems offer alternatives to reduce the environmental impact of conventional masonry. However, their low thermal inertia has a negative impact on energy performance in subtropical climates. The study aims to identify influential parameters and develop a prediction model using statistical and machine learning tools. The authors created a database with computer simulation data on the energy performance of 2,048 building conditions generated by a factorial combination of 10 parameters. Sensitivity analysis identified which parameters contribute most to energy performance indicators. Decision trees were created using the classification and regression tree (CART) algorithm to visualise parameters and improve energy performance indicators, particularly cooling energy consumption. The findings demonstrate that low thermal transmittance and ground contact are effective strategies for achieving low thermal capacity in buildings. Relying only on the most influential properties does not ensure good energy performance. Instead, the adequate combination of envelope properties leads to good energy efficiency. The CART-developed tree serves as a guide to assist designers and researchers in selecting building envelopes, demonstrating the impact of each choice on electrical energy consumption for indoor climate control. This study adopts a global approach to assess the thermal performance of lightweight buildings, synthesising complex and time-consuming methodology results into a practical guide for optimising envelope design decisions and directing efforts toward efficient strategies.Ghafoor et al. (2025) investigate barriers to deploying product-service systems (PSS) and realising circular economy (CE) potential in housing. Transitioning towards a CE in housing is urgently needed, with business models like PSS aligned with CE principles being pivotal. However, incorporating PSS into housing faces significant challenges due to systemic rigidity and institutional inertia in the industry. The authors conducted semi-structured interviews with stakeholders experienced in PSS and CE deployment in housing projects. Analysis used deductive coding guided by institutional theory's regulative, normative and cultural-cognitive pillars, followed by inductive coding development. Twelve key barriers emerged across the three pillars, highlighting the significance of regulative, normative and cultural-cognitive barriers. The findings indicate that the current institutional environment hinders the establishment of legitimacy for PSS deployment and its CE potential in housing. Ghafoor et al. (2025) recommend a diversified institutional support system enabled by collaborative efforts from government, managing and financing actors, and industry associations to overcome deployment barriers.Dzramado et al. (2025) explore the socioeconomic factors affecting the development of green cities in Ghana. While existing literature highlights green cities as a major path towards sustainability in construction, there is a lack of knowledge about the socioeconomic aspects of green cities and their role in promoting sustainability. The authors conducted a comprehensive literature review to identify socioeconomic factors affecting green cities. They adopted a quantitative research strategy, using questionnaires to collect primary data from respondents with the requisite understanding and knowledge of green cities. The findings identified three main categories of socioeconomic factors: green support mechanisms (innovation and technology, green city planning, stakeholder engagement, awareness, transportation planning and environmental regulations); green inhibitors (population, culture, housing and policy implementation); and green market and finance (digital finance, green market mechanism, green investment finance, risks and uncertainties and income levels of clients). The results demonstrate that socioeconomic factors are significant to green city development in Ghana.Omrany and Al-Obaidi (2025) examine the role of Digital Twin (DT) technology in addressing Urban Heat Island (UHI) effects. The study aims to consolidate the fragmented knowledge of DT technology in urban environments by identifying practical applications, proposing an approach, and highlighting challenges for addressing UHI effects. The authors conducted a systematic literature review to provide a comprehensive understanding of DT technology and propose a conceptual framework for mitigating UHI effects. The results identified three major study categories within the DT and UHI domains: DT-enabled actions for optimising urban greenery, DT implementation for enhancing resilience in urban planning, and increasing the fidelity level of DT to address UHI effects. The paper introduces REFLECT, a conceptual DT-enabled framework consisting of seven layers: retrieve, establish, facilitate, lump, examine, cognition and take. The framework proposes developing a systems-based model with identifiable scopes, strategies and factors through a multi-layered platform, specifying model input, process and output towards mitigating UHI effects. This paper contributes to sustainable urban development discourse by highlighting challenges associated with DT technology in mitigating UHI. It introduces a conceptual framework demonstrating applications and directions for developing innovative solutions to unlock the full potential of DT technology in addressing Urban Heat Island effects.Aktürk and Irlayıcı Çakmak (2025) examine digital twin technology and its applicability during construction, focusing on its interaction with building information modelling (BIM) from a construction project management perspective. The study aims to fill the research gap on digital twin technology and present its true potential in the construction phase of the project lifecycle. The authors employed a two-step methodology, comprising a comprehensive literature synthesis on digital twins from a construction management perspective and a questionnaire survey to assess the impact of digital twin services on parallel BIM applications. This study provides validated applications and numerous advantages of digital twins in construction project management. It suggests that the industry should leverage the 10 digital twin services introduced to eliminate the low efficiency and lack of productivity still facing the construction industry. The paper provides a meaningful definition for the sector by grounding the digital twin concept in existing technologies and practical applications. This provides a roadmap for managers to address problems and BIM limitations in their companies or projects with tailored solutions.Muhit et al. (2025) evaluated Ferrock as a green construction material by analysing its engineering properties, environmental impact, economic viability, and adoption challenges. This study aims to bridge knowledge gaps and provide guidance on integrating Ferrock into mainstream construction, thereby supporting the decarbonisation of the built environment. The authors present a systematic and holistic review of existing literature on Ferrock, comprehensively analysing its mechanical properties, environmental and socio-economic impact, and adoption challenges. The approach includes evaluating both quantitative and qualitative data to assess Ferrock's potential in the construction sector. Key findings highlight Ferrock's superior mechanical properties, including higher compressive and tensile strengths, as well as enhanced durability, compared to traditional Portland cement. Ferrock offers significant environmental benefits by capturing more CO2 during curing than it emits, contributing to carbon sequestration and reducing energy consumption due to the absence of high-temperature processing. However, the material faces economic and technical challenges, including higher initial costs, scalability issues, lack of industry standards and variability in production quality. This study provides a comprehensive and up-to-date analysis of Ferrock. Despite being discussed for a decade, Ferrock research has been largely overlooked, with existing studies often being limited and published in low-quality sources. By synthesising current research and identifying future study areas, the paper enhances understanding of Ferrock's potential benefits and challenges.Díaz Jiménez et al. (2025) address the lack of sustainability assessments of smart connected health systems by presenting an assessment model to determine their alignment with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) from the 2030 Agenda. The authors propose an evaluation model based on decision analysis that includes three phases: alignment framework, information gathering and assessment. This model measures the connected health system's alignment with each of the 17 SDGs, identifying the goals and criteria associated with each SDG that the system satisfies. The analysis reveals that the system has achieved more than 24% of the targets among the 17 SDGs. It identifies four sustainability challenges that the system potentially addresses in relation to the SDGs, providing valuable guidance for researchers and practitioners interested in sustainable health technology development. The study's results have significant implications for policymakers and stakeholders in the health and technology sectors.