{"id":9498,"date":"2025-11-10T11:51:36","date_gmt":"2025-11-10T10:51:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/?p=9498"},"modified":"2025-11-10T11:54:29","modified_gmt":"2025-11-10T10:54:29","slug":"reducing-the-environmental-impact-of-urban-planning-projects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/articles\/reducing-the-environmental-impact-of-urban-planning-projects\/","title":{"rendered":"Reducing the environmental impact of urban planning projects"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
\"\"
Figure 1: A school in the 14th arrondissement of Paris, modeled using the Pleaides software as part of the ECOMOA research project.
The different colors represent thermal zones, defined here according to the specific use of each space (classrooms, offices, staff accommodation, etc.). A thermal zone is an area where the temperature is assumed to remain constant. This zoning approach allows for more accurate modeling of energy consumption, by aligning heating schedules and energy needs with the intended use of each space.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a method that is widely used to evaluate the environmental impacts of products, services, and systems. It takes a broad range of environmental criteria into consideration, including climate change, damage to human health, damage to biodiversity, and resource depletion, across the entire life cycle of the system under assessment<\/a>.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In France, LCA has been applied to buildings since the 1990s (B. Polster 1995) and more recently to urban districts. It is governed by both international and national standards. However, it remains underutilized during the early phases of construction and renovation projects, when crucial decisions are made, due to various obstacles such as tight project timelines, lack of appropriate tools, and insufficient data. Research has identified these limitations and proposed tailored solutions to better support stakeholders during the preliminary phases of building and renovation projects. The findings highlight the importance of training project owners in interpreting the results and to adapt recommendations to the specific typologies of buildings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The specific case of buildings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

LCA can be applied to achieve various objectives: site selection, program definition, design, building management, renovation planning, and deconstruction strategy, among others. The life cycle of a building can be divided into four main stages: construction (including raw material extraction, material production and transport, worksite operations), building use, renovation, and end of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To allow comparison between different scenarios, LCA studies define a functional unit, which provides the reference basis for comparison. This unit must be quantitative, precise, and reflect the expected performance. For example, the functional unit for a single-family home could be defined as: providing housing for a family of four in a comfortable, healthy, quiet, and well-lit environment, where indoor temperatures remain between 20 and 26\u00b0C, over a period of 80 years, normalized per square meter of living space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Pollution shifting<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LCA is based on a holistic approach, aiming to evaluate an object or system across its entire life cycle. Focusing on reducing a single environmental impact at a specific stage or location can unintentionally cause an increase in another environmental impact, or shift the impact to another stage of the life cycle or a different geographic area. This phenomenon is known as pollution shifting<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, a homeowner looking to reduce their heating consumption, and therefore the associated environmental impacts, might naturally consider insulating their home. Life Cycle Assessment helps ensure that the additional impacts associated with production and end-of-life stages of insulation materials do not outweigh the benefits gained from reduced heating consumption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similarly, if the homeowner considers replacing a gas boiler, due to its significant contribution to climate change, with a wood-burning system, this alternative might involve increased land use pressure from forest harvesting, which can harm biodiversity. In addition, fine particulate emissions from wood burning may pose risks to human health<\/a>, depending on how these emissions are managed. In such cases, Life Cycle Assessment helps to quantify these trade-offs and avoid shifting environmental burdens from one domain to another.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adopting a multi-criteria procedure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The international standard ISO 14040 defines LCA in 4 phases <\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase  involves defining the objective and scope of the study. This includes specifying what will be included in the assessment. For example, an LCA of a building may focus exclusively on the structure itself, or it might also include household waste and\/or occupant transportation. This depends on the objective of the assessment. If the goal is to assist in site selection, then access to public transportation and proximity to waste treatment facilities become relevant. If the aim is to compare architectural design options, focusing on the building envelope alone may be sufficient. Similarly, assumptions must be made regarding the electricity mix, transport of materials, and how impacts from recycling or reuse are accounted for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The second phase involves defining the inventory. The goal here is to quantify all inputs and outputs related to the environment, including building materials and construction equipment, and operational energy consumption (electricity, heating and air conditioning). Energy use must be estimated in advance, often using dynamic thermal simulations that account for time-dependent variables such as weather data, occupant presence, and heating setpoints. The ecoinvent international database is commonly used to convert these quantities of materials and energy consumption into an inventory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The third phase is the environmental impact assessment, which uses characterization methods to link the inventory data to potential environmental impacts. In building LCAs, this phase is often performed using ecodesign software, which processes the input data from the inventory, i.e., material quantities and energy consumption.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The final phase is the interpretation of the results in relation to the original goal. If the goal is to reduce the environmental impact of a single-family home, a contribution analysis is typically performed across the various life cycle stages. The most impactful stage(s) is\/are then examined in greater detail. For existing buildings, the use stage often has the most significant impact, highlighting the importance of improving the performance of the building envelope, while also avoiding the shifting of impacts elsewhere. For very recent buildings, the construction stage can dominate certain indicators due to increasingly strict energy performance regulations. This highlights the need to also take impacts from construction and end-of-life stages into consideration in an environmental assessment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Figure 2 : Contribution analysis of life cycle phases for the school shown in Figure 1. Credit : Aurore Wurtz<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Figure 3 : Contribution analysis of the construction phase for the school shown in Figure 1. Credit : Aurore Wurtz<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The case of the city of Paris<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the main challenges in applying LCA to buildings lies in its practical integration into ongoing renovation and construction projects. To be truly effective, the assessment must be conducted early in the project development phase. However, various barriers often hinder this, including tight project deadlines, a lack of appropriate tools, and limited expertise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To overcome these challenges, one of the goals of the ECOMOA research project<\/a>, led by ADEME over 3 years, is to facilitate dialog between operational teams from the Public Construction and Architecture Directorate (DCPA) of the City of Paris, and researchers specializing in building LCA. A series of workshops was organized to introduce the LCA methodology, with a focus on practical application to renovation projects for public buildings in Paris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These sessions revealed both a strong interest in the approach across departments and a need for targeted training. In response to this, a general overview of LCA was added to a training program, along with an advanced module devoted to interpreting the results. The goal is to equip staff with the knowledge needed to understand and critically assess LCA results provided by external consultants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A beta version of this training program, co-developed by researchers and city officials, will be presented at the next workshop, with the aim of finalizing the content for broader dissemination across the DCPA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The next phase of the ECOMOA project will focus on assessing the environmental impact of renovation strategies for several Parisian schools. Significant similarities have been observed linked to the construction periods of the schools. Analyzing the different construction typologies will allow for the development of optimized renovation guidelines, tailored to the city\u2019s existing building stock.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a method that is widely used to evaluate the environmental impacts of products, services, and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":9487,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_related_content_post":[],"_related_content_subject":[936,937],"_related_content_author":[9524],"_related_content_category":[1716],"_related_content_folder":[9382],"_excerpt":"In light of today\u2019s environmental challenges, the construction sector, a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and resource consumption, is being urged to fundamentally rethink its practices. In this context, assessing the environmental impact of construction or renovation projects has become essential to support more sustainable decision-making.","_duration":6,"_manual_duration":false,"footnotes":""},"article-types":[13],"class_list":["post-9498","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","article-types-article"],"has_blocks":true,"block_data":[{"blockName":"enpc\/excerpt","attrs":{"lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"","innerContent":[],"rendered":""},{"blockName":"core\/image","attrs":{"id":9487,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none","align":"wide","blob":"","url":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bandeau.png","alt":"","caption":null,"lightbox":[],"title":"","href":"","rel":"","linkClass":"","width":"","height":"","aspectRatio":"","scale":"","linkTarget":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"wp-block-image alignwide size-full","style":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

\"\"
Figure 1: A school in the 14th arrondissement of Paris, modeled using the Pleaides software as part of the ECOMOA research project.
The different colors represent thermal zones, defined here according to the specific use of each space (classrooms, offices, staff accommodation, etc.). A thermal zone is an area where the temperature is assumed to remain constant. This zoning approach allows for more accurate modeling of energy consumption, by aligning heating schedules and energy needs with the intended use of each space.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","innerContent":["\n
\"\"
Figure 1: A school in the 14th arrondissement of Paris, modeled using the Pleaides software as part of the ECOMOA research project.
The different colors represent thermal zones, defined here according to the specific use of each space (classrooms, offices, staff accommodation, etc.). A thermal zone is an area where the temperature is assumed to remain constant. This zoning approach allows for more accurate modeling of energy consumption, by aligning heating schedules and energy needs with the intended use of each space.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n"],"rendered":"\n
\"\"
Figure 1: A school in the 14th arrondissement of Paris, modeled using the Pleaides software as part of the ECOMOA research project.
The different colors represent thermal zones, defined here according to the specific use of each space (classrooms, offices, staff accommodation, etc.). A thermal zone is an area where the temperature is assumed to remain constant. This zoning approach allows for more accurate modeling of energy consumption, by aligning heating schedules and energy needs with the intended use of each space.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":null,"dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a method that is widely used to evaluate the environmental impacts of products, services, and systems. It takes a broad range of environmental criteria into consideration, including climate change, damage to human health, damage to biodiversity, and resource depletion, across the entire life cycle of the system under assessment<\/a>.<\/a><\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a method that is widely used to evaluate the environmental impacts of products, services, and systems. It takes a broad range of environmental criteria into consideration, including climate change, damage to human health, damage to biodiversity, and resource depletion, across the entire life cycle of the system under assessment<\/a>.<\/a><\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a method that is widely used to evaluate the environmental impacts of products, services, and systems. It takes a broad range of environmental criteria into consideration, including climate change, damage to human health, damage to biodiversity, and resource depletion, across the entire life cycle of the system under assessment<\/a>.<\/a><\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":null,"dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

In France, LCA has been applied to buildings since the 1990s (B. Polster 1995) and more recently to urban districts. It is governed by both international and national standards. However, it remains underutilized during the early phases of construction and renovation projects, when crucial decisions are made, due to various obstacles such as tight project timelines, lack of appropriate tools, and insufficient data. Research has identified these limitations and proposed tailored solutions to better support stakeholders during the preliminary phases of building and renovation projects. The findings highlight the importance of training project owners in interpreting the results and to adapt recommendations to the specific typologies of buildings.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

In France, LCA has been applied to buildings since the 1990s (B. Polster 1995) and more recently to urban districts. It is governed by both international and national standards. However, it remains underutilized during the early phases of construction and renovation projects, when crucial decisions are made, due to various obstacles such as tight project timelines, lack of appropriate tools, and insufficient data. Research has identified these limitations and proposed tailored solutions to better support stakeholders during the preliminary phases of building and renovation projects. The findings highlight the importance of training project owners in interpreting the results and to adapt recommendations to the specific typologies of buildings.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

In France, LCA has been applied to buildings since the 1990s (B. Polster 1995) and more recently to urban districts. It is governed by both international and national standards. However, it remains underutilized during the early phases of construction and renovation projects, when crucial decisions are made, due to various obstacles such as tight project timelines, lack of appropriate tools, and insufficient data. Research has identified these limitations and proposed tailored solutions to better support stakeholders during the preliminary phases of building and renovation projects. The findings highlight the importance of training project owners in interpreting the results and to adapt recommendations to the specific typologies of buildings.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/heading","attrs":{"style":{"elements":{"link":{"color":{"text":"var:preset|color|red"}}}},"textColor":"red","textAlign":"","content":null,"level":2,"levelOptions":[],"placeholder":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"align":"","className":"wp-block-heading has-red-color has-text-color has-link-color","backgroundColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

The specific case of buildings<\/h2>\n","innerContent":["\n

The specific case of buildings<\/h2>\n"],"rendered":"\n

The specific case of buildings<\/h2>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":null,"dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

LCA can be applied to achieve various objectives: site selection, program definition, design, building management, renovation planning, and deconstruction strategy, among others. The life cycle of a building can be divided into four main stages: construction (including raw material extraction, material production and transport, worksite operations), building use, renovation, and end of life.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

LCA can be applied to achieve various objectives: site selection, program definition, design, building management, renovation planning, and deconstruction strategy, among others. The life cycle of a building can be divided into four main stages: construction (including raw material extraction, material production and transport, worksite operations), building use, renovation, and end of life.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

LCA can be applied to achieve various objectives: site selection, program definition, design, building management, renovation planning, and deconstruction strategy, among others. The life cycle of a building can be divided into four main stages: construction (including raw material extraction, material production and transport, worksite operations), building use, renovation, and end of life.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":null,"dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

To allow comparison between different scenarios, LCA studies define a functional unit, which provides the reference basis for comparison. This unit must be quantitative, precise, and reflect the expected performance. For example, the functional unit for a single-family home could be defined as: providing housing for a family of four in a comfortable, healthy, quiet, and well-lit environment, where indoor temperatures remain between 20 and 26\u00b0C, over a period of 80 years, normalized per square meter of living space.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

To allow comparison between different scenarios, LCA studies define a functional unit, which provides the reference basis for comparison. This unit must be quantitative, precise, and reflect the expected performance. For example, the functional unit for a single-family home could be defined as: providing housing for a family of four in a comfortable, healthy, quiet, and well-lit environment, where indoor temperatures remain between 20 and 26\u00b0C, over a period of 80 years, normalized per square meter of living space.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

To allow comparison between different scenarios, LCA studies define a functional unit, which provides the reference basis for comparison. This unit must be quantitative, precise, and reflect the expected performance. For example, the functional unit for a single-family home could be defined as: providing housing for a family of four in a comfortable, healthy, quiet, and well-lit environment, where indoor temperatures remain between 20 and 26\u00b0C, over a period of 80 years, normalized per square meter of living space.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/group","attrs":{"backgroundColor":"cyan-bluish-gray","layout":{"type":"constrained"},"tagName":"div","templateLock":null,"lock":[],"metadata":[],"align":"","className":"wp-block-group has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-background","style":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","ariaLabel":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":null,"dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

Pollution shifting<\/strong><\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

Pollution shifting<\/strong><\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

Pollution shifting<\/strong><\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":null,"dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

LCA is based on a holistic approach, aiming to evaluate an object or system across its entire life cycle. Focusing on reducing a single environmental impact at a specific stage or location can unintentionally cause an increase in another environmental impact, or shift the impact to another stage of the life cycle or a different geographic area. This phenomenon is known as pollution shifting<\/strong>.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

LCA is based on a holistic approach, aiming to evaluate an object or system across its entire life cycle. Focusing on reducing a single environmental impact at a specific stage or location can unintentionally cause an increase in another environmental impact, or shift the impact to another stage of the life cycle or a different geographic area. This phenomenon is known as pollution shifting<\/strong>.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

LCA is based on a holistic approach, aiming to evaluate an object or system across its entire life cycle. Focusing on reducing a single environmental impact at a specific stage or location can unintentionally cause an increase in another environmental impact, or shift the impact to another stage of the life cycle or a different geographic area. This phenomenon is known as pollution shifting<\/strong>.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":null,"dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

For example, a homeowner looking to reduce their heating consumption, and therefore the associated environmental impacts, might naturally consider insulating their home. Life Cycle Assessment helps ensure that the additional impacts associated with production and end-of-life stages of insulation materials do not outweigh the benefits gained from reduced heating consumption.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

For example, a homeowner looking to reduce their heating consumption, and therefore the associated environmental impacts, might naturally consider insulating their home. Life Cycle Assessment helps ensure that the additional impacts associated with production and end-of-life stages of insulation materials do not outweigh the benefits gained from reduced heating consumption.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

For example, a homeowner looking to reduce their heating consumption, and therefore the associated environmental impacts, might naturally consider insulating their home. Life Cycle Assessment helps ensure that the additional impacts associated with production and end-of-life stages of insulation materials do not outweigh the benefits gained from reduced heating consumption.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":null,"dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

Similarly, if the homeowner considers replacing a gas boiler, due to its significant contribution to climate change, with a wood-burning system, this alternative might involve increased land use pressure from forest harvesting, which can harm biodiversity. In addition, fine particulate emissions from wood burning may pose risks to human health<\/a>, depending on how these emissions are managed. In such cases, Life Cycle Assessment helps to quantify these trade-offs and avoid shifting environmental burdens from one domain to another.<\/a><\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

Similarly, if the homeowner considers replacing a gas boiler, due to its significant contribution to climate change, with a wood-burning system, this alternative might involve increased land use pressure from forest harvesting, which can harm biodiversity. In addition, fine particulate emissions from wood burning may pose risks to human health<\/a>, depending on how these emissions are managed. In such cases, Life Cycle Assessment helps to quantify these trade-offs and avoid shifting environmental burdens from one domain to another.<\/a><\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

Similarly, if the homeowner considers replacing a gas boiler, due to its significant contribution to climate change, with a wood-burning system, this alternative might involve increased land use pressure from forest harvesting, which can harm biodiversity. In addition, fine particulate emissions from wood burning may pose risks to human health<\/a>, depending on how these emissions are managed. In such cases, Life Cycle Assessment helps to quantify these trade-offs and avoid shifting environmental burdens from one domain to another.<\/a><\/p>\n"}],"innerHTML":"\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n","innerContent":["\n
",null,"\n\n",null,"\n\n",null,"\n\n",null,"<\/div>\n"],"rendered":"\n
\n

Pollution shifting<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LCA is based on a holistic approach, aiming to evaluate an object or system across its entire life cycle. Focusing on reducing a single environmental impact at a specific stage or location can unintentionally cause an increase in another environmental impact, or shift the impact to another stage of the life cycle or a different geographic area. This phenomenon is known as pollution shifting<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, a homeowner looking to reduce their heating consumption, and therefore the associated environmental impacts, might naturally consider insulating their home. Life Cycle Assessment helps ensure that the additional impacts associated with production and end-of-life stages of insulation materials do not outweigh the benefits gained from reduced heating consumption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similarly, if the homeowner considers replacing a gas boiler, due to its significant contribution to climate change, with a wood-burning system, this alternative might involve increased land use pressure from forest harvesting, which can harm biodiversity. In addition, fine particulate emissions from wood burning may pose risks to human health<\/a>, depending on how these emissions are managed. In such cases, Life Cycle Assessment helps to quantify these trade-offs and avoid shifting environmental burdens from one domain to another.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":null,"dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/heading","attrs":{"style":{"elements":{"link":{"color":{"text":"var:preset|color|red"}}}},"textColor":"red","textAlign":"","content":null,"level":2,"levelOptions":[],"placeholder":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"align":"","className":"wp-block-heading has-red-color has-text-color has-link-color","backgroundColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

Adopting a multi-criteria procedure<\/h2>\n","innerContent":["\n

Adopting a multi-criteria procedure<\/h2>\n"],"rendered":"\n

Adopting a multi-criteria procedure<\/h2>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":null,"dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

The international standard ISO 14040 defines LCA in 4 phases <\/a>.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

The international standard ISO 14040 defines LCA in 4 phases <\/a>.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

The international standard ISO 14040 defines LCA in 4 phases <\/a>.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":null,"dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

The first phase  involves defining the objective and scope of the study. This includes specifying what will be included in the assessment. For example, an LCA of a building may focus exclusively on the structure itself, or it might also include household waste and\/or occupant transportation. This depends on the objective of the assessment. If the goal is to assist in site selection, then access to public transportation and proximity to waste treatment facilities become relevant. If the aim is to compare architectural design options, focusing on the building envelope alone may be sufficient. Similarly, assumptions must be made regarding the electricity mix, transport of materials, and how impacts from recycling or reuse are accounted for.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

The first phase  involves defining the objective and scope of the study. This includes specifying what will be included in the assessment. For example, an LCA of a building may focus exclusively on the structure itself, or it might also include household waste and\/or occupant transportation. This depends on the objective of the assessment. If the goal is to assist in site selection, then access to public transportation and proximity to waste treatment facilities become relevant. If the aim is to compare architectural design options, focusing on the building envelope alone may be sufficient. Similarly, assumptions must be made regarding the electricity mix, transport of materials, and how impacts from recycling or reuse are accounted for.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

The first phase  involves defining the objective and scope of the study. This includes specifying what will be included in the assessment. For example, an LCA of a building may focus exclusively on the structure itself, or it might also include household waste and\/or occupant transportation. This depends on the objective of the assessment. If the goal is to assist in site selection, then access to public transportation and proximity to waste treatment facilities become relevant. If the aim is to compare architectural design options, focusing on the building envelope alone may be sufficient. Similarly, assumptions must be made regarding the electricity mix, transport of materials, and how impacts from recycling or reuse are accounted for.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":null,"dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

The second phase involves defining the inventory. The goal here is to quantify all inputs and outputs related to the environment, including building materials and construction equipment, and operational energy consumption (electricity, heating and air conditioning). Energy use must be estimated in advance, often using dynamic thermal simulations that account for time-dependent variables such as weather data, occupant presence, and heating setpoints. The ecoinvent international database is commonly used to convert these quantities of materials and energy consumption into an inventory.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

The second phase involves defining the inventory. The goal here is to quantify all inputs and outputs related to the environment, including building materials and construction equipment, and operational energy consumption (electricity, heating and air conditioning). Energy use must be estimated in advance, often using dynamic thermal simulations that account for time-dependent variables such as weather data, occupant presence, and heating setpoints. The ecoinvent international database is commonly used to convert these quantities of materials and energy consumption into an inventory.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

The second phase involves defining the inventory. The goal here is to quantify all inputs and outputs related to the environment, including building materials and construction equipment, and operational energy consumption (electricity, heating and air conditioning). Energy use must be estimated in advance, often using dynamic thermal simulations that account for time-dependent variables such as weather data, occupant presence, and heating setpoints. The ecoinvent international database is commonly used to convert these quantities of materials and energy consumption into an inventory.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":null,"dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

The third phase is the environmental impact assessment, which uses characterization methods to link the inventory data to potential environmental impacts. In building LCAs, this phase is often performed using ecodesign software, which processes the input data from the inventory, i.e., material quantities and energy consumption.<\/a><\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

The third phase is the environmental impact assessment, which uses characterization methods to link the inventory data to potential environmental impacts. In building LCAs, this phase is often performed using ecodesign software, which processes the input data from the inventory, i.e., material quantities and energy consumption.<\/a><\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

The third phase is the environmental impact assessment, which uses characterization methods to link the inventory data to potential environmental impacts. In building LCAs, this phase is often performed using ecodesign software, which processes the input data from the inventory, i.e., material quantities and energy consumption.<\/a><\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":null,"dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

The final phase is the interpretation of the results in relation to the original goal. If the goal is to reduce the environmental impact of a single-family home, a contribution analysis is typically performed across the various life cycle stages. The most impactful stage(s) is\/are then examined in greater detail. For existing buildings, the use stage often has the most significant impact, highlighting the importance of improving the performance of the building envelope, while also avoiding the shifting of impacts elsewhere. For very recent buildings, the construction stage can dominate certain indicators due to increasingly strict energy performance regulations. This highlights the need to also take impacts from construction and end-of-life stages into consideration in an environmental assessment.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

The final phase is the interpretation of the results in relation to the original goal. If the goal is to reduce the environmental impact of a single-family home, a contribution analysis is typically performed across the various life cycle stages. The most impactful stage(s) is\/are then examined in greater detail. For existing buildings, the use stage often has the most significant impact, highlighting the importance of improving the performance of the building envelope, while also avoiding the shifting of impacts elsewhere. For very recent buildings, the construction stage can dominate certain indicators due to increasingly strict energy performance regulations. This highlights the need to also take impacts from construction and end-of-life stages into consideration in an environmental assessment.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

The final phase is the interpretation of the results in relation to the original goal. If the goal is to reduce the environmental impact of a single-family home, a contribution analysis is typically performed across the various life cycle stages. The most impactful stage(s) is\/are then examined in greater detail. For existing buildings, the use stage often has the most significant impact, highlighting the importance of improving the performance of the building envelope, while also avoiding the shifting of impacts elsewhere. For very recent buildings, the construction stage can dominate certain indicators due to increasingly strict energy performance regulations. This highlights the need to also take impacts from construction and end-of-life stages into consideration in an environmental assessment.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/gallery","attrs":{"columns":1,"linkTo":"none","isSlideshow":true,"images":[],"ids":[],"shortCodeTransforms":[],"caption":null,"imageCrop":true,"randomOrder":false,"fixedHeight":true,"linkTarget":"","sizeSlug":"large","allowResize":false,"aspectRatio":"auto","lock":[],"metadata":[],"align":"","className":"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-1 is-cropped","style":"","backgroundColor":"","gradient":"","borderColor":"","layout":[],"anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[{"blockName":"core\/image","attrs":{"id":9535,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","blob":"","url":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Figure-2-EN-1024x552.png","alt":"","caption":null,"lightbox":[],"title":"","href":"","rel":"","linkClass":"","width":"","height":"","aspectRatio":"","scale":"","linkTarget":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"align":"","className":"wp-block-image size-large","style":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

\"\"
Figure 2 : Contribution analysis of life cycle phases for the school shown in Figure 1. Credit : Aurore Wurtz<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","innerContent":["\n
\"\"
Figure 2 : Contribution analysis of life cycle phases for the school shown in Figure 1. Credit : Aurore Wurtz<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n"],"rendered":"\n
\"\"
Figure 2 : Contribution analysis of life cycle phases for the school shown in Figure 1. Credit : Aurore Wurtz<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/image","attrs":{"id":9537,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","blob":"","url":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Figure-3-EN-1024x523.png","alt":"","caption":null,"lightbox":[],"title":"","href":"","rel":"","linkClass":"","width":"","height":"","aspectRatio":"","scale":"","linkTarget":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"align":"","className":"wp-block-image size-large","style":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n
\"\"
Figure 3 : Contribution analysis of the construction phase for the school shown in Figure 1. Credit : Aurore Wurtz<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","innerContent":["\n
\"\"
Figure 3 : Contribution analysis of the construction phase for the school shown in Figure 1. Credit : Aurore Wurtz<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n"],"rendered":"\n
\"\"
Figure 3 : Contribution analysis of the construction phase for the school shown in Figure 1. Credit : Aurore Wurtz<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n"}],"innerHTML":"\n
\n\n<\/figure>\n","innerContent":["\n
",null,"\n\n",null,"<\/figure>\n"],"rendered":"\n
\n
\"\"
Figure 2 : Contribution analysis of life cycle phases for the school shown in Figure 1. Credit : Aurore Wurtz<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Figure 3 : Contribution analysis of the construction phase for the school shown in Figure 1. Credit : Aurore Wurtz<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":null,"dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":null,"dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/heading","attrs":{"style":{"elements":{"link":{"color":{"text":"var:preset|color|red"}}}},"textColor":"red","textAlign":"","content":null,"level":2,"levelOptions":[],"placeholder":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"align":"","className":"wp-block-heading has-red-color has-text-color has-link-color","backgroundColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

The case of the city of Paris<\/h2>\n","innerContent":["\n

The case of the city of Paris<\/h2>\n"],"rendered":"\n

The case of the city of Paris<\/h2>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":null,"dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

One of the main challenges in applying LCA to buildings lies in its practical integration into ongoing renovation and construction projects. To be truly effective, the assessment must be conducted early in the project development phase. However, various barriers often hinder this, including tight project deadlines, a lack of appropriate tools, and limited expertise.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

One of the main challenges in applying LCA to buildings lies in its practical integration into ongoing renovation and construction projects. To be truly effective, the assessment must be conducted early in the project development phase. However, various barriers often hinder this, including tight project deadlines, a lack of appropriate tools, and limited expertise.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

One of the main challenges in applying LCA to buildings lies in its practical integration into ongoing renovation and construction projects. To be truly effective, the assessment must be conducted early in the project development phase. However, various barriers often hinder this, including tight project deadlines, a lack of appropriate tools, and limited expertise.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":null,"dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

To overcome these challenges, one of the goals of the ECOMOA research project<\/a>, led by ADEME over 3 years, is to facilitate dialog between operational teams from the Public Construction and Architecture Directorate (DCPA) of the City of Paris, and researchers specializing in building LCA. A series of workshops was organized to introduce the LCA methodology, with a focus on practical application to renovation projects for public buildings in Paris.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

To overcome these challenges, one of the goals of the ECOMOA research project<\/a>, led by ADEME over 3 years, is to facilitate dialog between operational teams from the Public Construction and Architecture Directorate (DCPA) of the City of Paris, and researchers specializing in building LCA. A series of workshops was organized to introduce the LCA methodology, with a focus on practical application to renovation projects for public buildings in Paris.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

To overcome these challenges, one of the goals of the ECOMOA research project<\/a>, led by ADEME over 3 years, is to facilitate dialog between operational teams from the Public Construction and Architecture Directorate (DCPA) of the City of Paris, and researchers specializing in building LCA. A series of workshops was organized to introduce the LCA methodology, with a focus on practical application to renovation projects for public buildings in Paris.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":null,"dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

These sessions revealed both a strong interest in the approach across departments and a need for targeted training. In response to this, a general overview of LCA was added to a training program, along with an advanced module devoted to interpreting the results. The goal is to equip staff with the knowledge needed to understand and critically assess LCA results provided by external consultants.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

These sessions revealed both a strong interest in the approach across departments and a need for targeted training. In response to this, a general overview of LCA was added to a training program, along with an advanced module devoted to interpreting the results. The goal is to equip staff with the knowledge needed to understand and critically assess LCA results provided by external consultants.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

These sessions revealed both a strong interest in the approach across departments and a need for targeted training. In response to this, a general overview of LCA was added to a training program, along with an advanced module devoted to interpreting the results. The goal is to equip staff with the knowledge needed to understand and critically assess LCA results provided by external consultants.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":null,"dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

A beta version of this training program, co-developed by researchers and city officials, will be presented at the next workshop, with the aim of finalizing the content for broader dissemination across the DCPA.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

A beta version of this training program, co-developed by researchers and city officials, will be presented at the next workshop, with the aim of finalizing the content for broader dissemination across the DCPA.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

A beta version of this training program, co-developed by researchers and city officials, will be presented at the next workshop, with the aim of finalizing the content for broader dissemination across the DCPA.<\/p>\n"},{"blockName":"core\/paragraph","attrs":{"align":"","content":null,"dropCap":false,"placeholder":"","direction":"","lock":[],"metadata":[],"className":"","style":"","backgroundColor":"","textColor":"","gradient":"","fontSize":"","fontFamily":"","borderColor":"","anchor":""},"innerBlocks":[],"innerHTML":"\n

The next phase of the ECOMOA project will focus on assessing the environmental impact of renovation strategies for several Parisian schools. Significant similarities have been observed linked to the construction periods of the schools. Analyzing the different construction typologies will allow for the development of optimized renovation guidelines, tailored to the city\u2019s existing building stock.<\/p>\n","innerContent":["\n

The next phase of the ECOMOA project will focus on assessing the environmental impact of renovation strategies for several Parisian schools. Significant similarities have been observed linked to the construction periods of the schools. Analyzing the different construction typologies will allow for the development of optimized renovation guidelines, tailored to the city\u2019s existing building stock.<\/p>\n"],"rendered":"\n

The next phase of the ECOMOA project will focus on assessing the environmental impact of renovation strategies for several Parisian schools. Significant similarities have been observed linked to the construction periods of the schools. Analyzing the different construction typologies will allow for the development of optimized renovation guidelines, tailored to the city\u2019s existing building stock.<\/p>\n"}],"seo":{"title":"Reducing the environmental impact of urban planning projects"},"media":{"img":"\"\"","src":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bandeau.png"},"url":"\/en\/articles\/reducing-the-environmental-impact-of-urban-planning-projects\/","related":{"post":[],"author":[{"title":"Aurore Wurtz","url":"\/en\/authors\/aurore-wurtz\/","id":"9524","media":"\"unknown\"","slug":"aurore-wurtz"}],"subject":[{"title":"Cities, Urban planning & Construction","url":"\/en\/subjects\/cities-urban-planning-construction\/","id":"936","media":"\"\"","slug":"cities-urban-planning-construction"},{"title":"Energy, Ecology & Climate","url":"\/en\/subjects\/energy-ecology-climate\/","id":"937","media":"\"\"","slug":"energy-ecology-climate"}],"category":[{"title":"Articles","url":"\/en\/articles\/category\/articles\/","id":"1716","media":"","slug":"articles","_related_post_type":""}],"folder":[{"title":"\u202fEco-building tomorrow: Rethinking practices and methods.","url":"\/en\/folders\/eco-building-tomorrow-rethinking-practices-and-methods\/","id":"9382","media":"\"\"","slug":"eco-building-tomorrow-rethinking-practices-and-methods"}]},"translated":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/articles\/reduire-limpact-environnemental-des-projets-durbanisme\/","icon":"icon-article","duration":"6","custom_excerpt":"In light of today\u2019s environmental challenges, the construction sector, a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and resource consumption, is being urged to fundamentally rethink its practices. In this context, assessing the environmental impact of construction or renovation projects has become essential to support more sustainable decision-making.","duration_type":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9498","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9498"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9498\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9636,"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9498\/revisions\/9636"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9487"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9498"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"article-types","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ingenius.ecoledesponts.fr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article-types?post=9498"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}