From Buildings to Neighborhoods: Upscaling Smartness Assessment for Enhanced Sustainability

This study embarks on an innovative exploration of upscaling the smartness assessment of buildings to the neighborhood scale, aiming to bridge the gap in sustainability evaluation practices. With urban development rapidly advancing, the imperative to extend the assessment of individual building units to encompass entire neighborhoods becomes crucial for achieving broader sustainability goals. Through a comprehensive review of 18 seminal papers, the research identifies existing methodologies for assessing the sustainability of buildings and examines their applicability and challenges in scaling to larger urban areas. Key findings reveal that 44% of the reviewed frameworks emphasize technological integration and stakeholder engagement, while 17% address the complexity of urban infrastructure interdependencies. Central to this investigation are the multifaceted obstacles encountered, including the integration of diverse building types, variance in technological adoption, and the complexity of urban infrastructure interdependencies. To navigate these challenges, the study proposes a novel framework designed to guide the upscaling process. This framework emphasizes the importance of interoperability, community engagement, and adaptive governance structures, aiming to facilitate a cohesive approach to smartness assessment. By setting forth a strategic pathway, the research aspires to enhance the accuracy and efficacy of sustainability evaluations at the neighborhood level, contributing to the broader objective of creating more sustainable, resilient, and smart urban environments.