Analysis of life cycle assessment and energy efficiency strategies in social housing

a systematic review

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5380/dma.v66i.97754

Keywords:

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), energy efficiency, social housing, building materials, environmental impacts

Abstract

This article presents a systematic analysis of the literature on life cycle assessment (LCA) and energy efficiency in social housing, with a focus on the interaction between these aspects and the electricity grid. The study evaluates different LCA methodologies applied to housing projects, considering variations in construction parameters, energy performance, climatic context, and methodological choices. The review revealed important gaps in existing approaches, especially the lack of a standardized methodology for assessing environmental impacts beyond carbon emissions and energy consumption. The main issues addressed in the article were: (i) mitigation strategies for energy efficiency in social housing (RQ1), which highlight the operational use of energy as the main driver of environmental impact during the life cycle of social housing; (ii) design alternatives for social housing with a focus on energy efficiency (RQ2), which highlight the importance of the climatic context, the building typology and the insulation system for energy efficiency; and (iii) material intervention strategies (RQ3), which discuss the embodied impacts of insulation materials, highlighting the importance of considering these effects when evaluating alternative materials and construction techniques. The review concludes that, while design alternatives and building materials have a significant impact on energy efficiency, the lack of a comprehensive assessment that considers all aspects of the life cycle limits the ability to draw definitive conclusions about best practices. The article emphasizes the need to adopt an integrated and comprehensive environmental assessment methodology, which considers carbon emissions, energy consumption, and other relevant environmental impacts. The implementation of a more systemic approach is essential to advance the construction of more sustainable social housing, meeting the principles of the circular economy and promoting the transition to low-carbon electricity systems.

Author Biographies

Monday Luka, University of Pernambuco

Tecnólogo em Engenharia Civil

Isaac S. A. Brito, Universidade de Pernambuco

Especialista em engenharia de diagnóstico

Emilia R. Kohlman Rabbani, Universidade de Pernambuco

Possui pós-doutorado em Engenharia Civil pela Universidade do Minho, doutorado em Engenharia Civil pela University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA - USA (2000), mestrado em Engenharia Civil e Ambiental pela University of Pittsburgh - USA (1998), graduação em Engenharia Civil pela Universidade Federal da Paraíba - UFPB (1996) e graduação em Engenharia Civil e Ambiental pela University of Pittsburgh - USA (1995). Trabalhou como engenheira de tráfego na companhia Midwest Research Institute (MRI) fazendo parte da equipe de pesquisadores da área de segurança de trânsito na cidade de Kansas City nos Estados Unidos (2000-2002). Foi professora do Departamento de Engenharia Civil da Universidade Federal de Sergipe (2003-2005) e ingressou na UPE em 2006 como professora adjunta Nível III, e foi promovida a professora associada em 2011. Atuou como coordenadora setorial de Pós-graduação da Escola Politécnica de Pernambuco (POLI) na gestão 2009-2010, como coordenadora do Mestrado em Engenharia Civil (PEC) da POLI/UPE na gestão 2010-2011 e vice-líder do grupo de pesquisa Ergonomia, Higiene e Segurança do Trabalho (2008-2011). Atuou como professora visitante do Technion - Israel Institute of Technology (2011-2012) trabalhando com os professores Dr. Aviad Shapira e Dr. Rafael Sacks no departamento de gestão da construção em projetos relacionados a segurança nas obras e como pesquisadora visitante no Colorado State University - EUA (desde 2013). Atualmente é professora associada com título de livre docente da Universidade de Pernambuco (com Dedicação Exclusiva desde 2006), professora permanente do Mestrado em Engenharia Civil da UPE (desde 2007), coordena o grupo de pesquisa Desenvolvimento Seguro e Sustentável - DESS cadastrado no CNPq (desde 2013), atua como representante dos professores Associados no Conselho de Gestão Acadêmica da POLI (CGA) e atua como Gerente da Seção de Cultura da Escola Politécnica de Pernambuco (desde 2014). Tem experiência na área de Engenharia Civil, com ênfase em segurança em transportes e sustentabilidade social (segurança e higiene ocupacionais) aplicada a construção civil.

Mahmoud Shakouri, Boise State University Idaho United State of America

Assistant Professor, Colorado State University

Maria Helena de Sousa, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco UFPE

Graduated in Energy Engineering and Master's in Mechanical Engineering from the Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), Brazil. She is currently a doctoral student at the Graduate Program in Energy and Nuclear Technologies at UFPE, with an emphasis on energy use from biomass sources

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Published

2025-12-22

How to Cite

Luka, M., Brito, I. S. A., Rabbani, E. R. K., Shakouri, M., & Sousa, M. H. de. (2025). Analysis of life cycle assessment and energy efficiency strategies in social housing: a systematic review. Desenvolvimento E Meio Ambiente, 66, 611–637. https://doi.org/10.5380/dma.v66i.97754

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Vol. 66 (2025): Climate change and the challenges of transitions towards sustainability

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Articles

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Copyright (c) 2025 Monday Luka, Isaac S. A. Brito, Emilia R. Kohlman Rabbani, Mahmoud Shakouri, Maria Helena de Sousa

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