Founded 1991 by Md.

AlimullahMiyan

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE) Thesis Proposal

Department of Civil Engineering, IUBAT

Thesis Title : Enhancing Sustainability through Building Renovations and

Retrofits: Strategies, Challenges, and Impacts.
Student Name : Md. Asaduzzaman,Md. Golamkibria, ARIFUL ISLAM

Student ID : 19106193, 19206018, 19206014

E-mail : mdasad835077@gmail.com ,g.k.antorb@gmail.co

m , ariful19206014@gmail.com
Supervisor Name : Syeda Rezwana Jannat , Anisuzzaman Khan

1.Introduction:

In Bangladesh, a rapidly urbanizing country with a burgeoning population, the demand for sustainable
infrastructure and environmentally responsible building practices has never been more pressing. The built
environment in Bangladesh is confronted with numerous challenges, including rising energy consumption,
inadequate waste management, and vulnerability to climate change impacts. Amidst these challenges,
sustainable building renovations and retrofits offer a pathway towards a greener, more resilient future for
the country.This research project aims to explore the strategies, challenges, and impacts of sustainable
building renovations and retrofits specifically in the context of Bangladesh. By delving into the unique
socio-economic and environmental factors shaping the built environment of the country, we seek to
uncover opportunities and address barriers in the pursuit of sustainable retrofitting practices.Bangladesh,
with its dense urban centers and expanding cities, experiences significant energy demand, often met
through fossil fuel sources, leading to carbon emissions and exacerbating climate change. Sustainable
building renovations and retrofits hold immense potential to mitigate these impacts by reducing energy
consumption, improving energy efficiency, and integrating renewable energy sources. By implementing
energy-saving technologies, efficient building systems, and passive design principles, we can pave the way
for a more sustainable and energy-independent future.Moreover, sustainable building renovations and
retrofits in Bangladesh have the potential to enhance the resilience of buildings to climate change impacts
such as extreme weather events, floods, and sea-level rise. Incorporating resilient design features, flood-
resistant materials, and improved water management systems can mitigate risks and enhance the
adaptability of buildings to changing environmental conditions. The research aims to contribute to the
knowledge base on sustainable building practices in Bangladesh and provide practical insights and
guidance to stakeholders, policymakers, and professionals involved in the construction and urban
development sectors. By addressing the unique challenges and opportunities in the Bangladeshi context,
this study strives to accelerate the transition to more sustainable, resilient, and resource-efficient built
environments in the country.

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 Founded 1991 by Md. AlimullahMiyan
2.Objectives and Possible outcomes:
. 1. Assess the environmental impact of sustainable building renovations and retrofits in Bangladesh,
including reductions in energy consumption, carbon emissions, water usage, and waste generation.

2. Evaluate the social and economic implications of sustainable retrofits in the context of Bangladesh,
considering occupant well-being, productivity, job creation, and economic development

3. Identify the specific barriers and challenges faced in implementing sustainable building renovations and
retrofits in Bangladesh, such as financial constraints, lack of awareness, technical limitations, and policy
gaps.

3. Outline of methodology
We will conduct a literature review to gather information on environmental assessment methodologies,
tools, and indicators relevant to sustainable building renovations.Then we select a sample of retrofitted
buildings and collect data on energy consumption, water usage, waste generation, and greenhouse gas
emissions before and after the renovation. We Utilize appropriate environmental assessment tools such as
life cycle assessment (LCA) or environmental footprint analysis to quantify the environmental impact of
the retrofits.We categories the building according to the residential, commercial, institutional and collect
data on indoor environmental quality (IEQ) parameters such as temperature, humidity, air quality, lighting
conditions, and acoustics and consider qualitative and quantitative measures of occupant satisfaction and
integrate them with the IEQ data to provide a comprehensive assessment.We analyze the gathered data to
identify common barriers and challenges faced during the different stages of retrofit projects, such as
financing, technical complexities, lack of awareness, or resistance to change.
For future outlook, we will provide recommendations and strategies to address the identified barriers,
taking into account the specific context and stakeholders involved in sustainable building renovations and
retrofits

Literature Review :-
The following literature review provides an overview of key studies and research conducted on the topic of
sustainable building renovations and retrofits. The review explores various aspects, including
environmental impacts, occupant satisfaction, barriers, decision-making frameworks, and policy
implications. The studies mentioned highlight the global significance of sustainable retrofitting practices
and provide insights relevant to the context of Bangladesh.
Environmental Impacts of Sustainable Building Renovations and Retrofits: Numerous studies have
demonstrated the positive environmental impacts of sustainable building renovations and retrofits.In[1]
articles conducted a comprehensive review of retrofitting projects worldwide and found significant
reductions in energy consumption, carbon emissions, and water usage. Similarly, articles [2] investigated
the life cycle environmental impacts of retrofits and identified energy efficiency measures as key
contributors to environmental savings.
Occupant Satisfaction and Well-being: Research on occupant satisfaction and well-being in retrofitted
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 Founded 1991 by Md. AlimullahMiyan
sustainable buildings has highlighted the importance of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and its impact
on occupants. Articles [3]examined the relationship between IEQ improvements and occupant satisfaction,
finding a positive correlation between enhanced IEQ parameters and occupant comfort and productivity.
Additionally, Articles [4]explored the impact of sustainable retrofits on indoor air quality and reported
improvements in occupant health and well-being.
Barriers and Challenges: Identifying barriers and challenges in implementing sustainable building
renovations and retrofits is essential for successful project execution. In articles [5]conducted a survey
among building professionals and identified financial constraints, lack of technical expertise, and
resistance to change as common barriers. Additionally, article [6] emphasized the importance of
stakeholder collaboration and overcoming information gaps in achieving successful retrofit projects.

References:

1.
Aba Essanowa Afful, A. D. (2022). Impact of improved indoor environment on recovery from COVID-19
infections: a review of literature. Improved indoor environment , 18.

2. Francesco Lolli, S. M. (2022). Post-Occupancy Evaluation’s (POE) Applications for Improving Indoor
Environment Quality (IEQ). Indoor Environmental Quality: Challenges and Opportunities for the Human-
Centric Industrial Revolution) , 24.

3. Payam Nejat, F. J. (2015). A global review of energy consumption, CO2 emissions and policy in the
residential sector (with an overview of the top ten CO2 emitting countries). Renewable and Sustainable
Energy Reviews , 843-862.

4.
Y.L. Li, M. H. (2019). Energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by buildings: A multi-scale
perspective. Building and Environment , 240-250.

5.
Frank Ato Ghansah, D.-G. O.-M. (2020). Project management processes in the adoption of smart building
technologies: a systematic review of constraints. Constraints to smart building adoption , 19.

6.Ricardo Ramírez-Villegas, Ola Eriksson and Thomas OlofssonLife Cycle Assessment of Building
Renovation Measures–Trade-off between Building Materials and Energy doi:10.3390/en12030344

7.OlatzPomboa,*, Beatriz Rivelab , Javier NeilaaDoi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.06.137

8.Per Anker Jensen, LianeThuvander, Paula Femenias&HenkVisscher (2022) Sustainable building

renovation – strategies and processes, Construction Management and Economics, 40:3, 157-160, DOI:
10.1080/01446193.2022.2045717

9.Per Anker Jensen, EsmirMaslesa, JakobBrinkø Berg, Christian ThuesenPII: S0360-1323(18)30395-0

DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2018.06.051 Reference: BAE 5553

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