levels. BIM is basically digitally representing a building or built object, attributing
physical and functional properties gathered from all contributors to the design and
implementation. A major benefit of using BIM is enabling collaboration in-between
different stakeholders through the interoperable, shared representation of the object
[27, 28] and this applies to the different tools and approaches proposed for
assessment here. For NBS, this perspective of object level modelling is promising
as many solutions offer different impacts at object level, such as regulating functions related to thermal comfort, while contributing to the urban environment’s
cumulative natural assets, such as the carbon storage of a city.
EPESUS software has been using BIM to generate detailed data for Sustainable
Energy and Carbon Action Plans (SECAP) for local governments [30].
DesignBuilder software is used as a building energy modelling interface for
Energy + to generate time series energy consumption data for the building models.
Building types are determined based on available data and surveys held in the
subject area of the SECAP. These types are then attributed to building masses
drawn on a GIS interface of the city and their building energy model data is
extrapolated in EPESUS. Results are calibrated to achieve the closest alignment
with real bill data and spatial distribution based on neighbourhood characteristics.
Upon obtaining a baseline, scenarios are studied based on proposed interventions
such as envelope specifications and heating and cooling systems.
Such use of BIM for allocation to GIS units has been referred to as a City
Information Model (CIM): incorporating object models that generate data to
decision support tools using GIS [29]. What EPESUS does (Fig. 2) is using BIM
and generating assumptions, aligning them with real data and achieving scenarios
on a GIS in this regard. EPESUS is currently capable of modelling energy consumption, carbon emissions and life cycle impact, also delivering hotspots in the
impact area. EPESUS can also visualize impacts like pollution as heat-maps.
These capabilities provide a good base to integrate NBS into an assessment
method that imports time series data and delivers a dynamic assessment, with an
ability to use BIM to consider micro scale impacts. Having detailed information at
object level allows EPESUS to display heat-maps over a GIS interface to visualize
local conditions. NBS can be part of the BIM stage of this assessment method. Such
an LCA tool with GIS capabilities is functional to see some of the most desired
effects of NBS including:
– Urban heat island mitigation in areas of reflective surfaces and dense population,
– Pollution control based on heat-maps resulting from energy systems and density,
– Areas’ desirability for urban agents and behavioural impact,
– Other local ecosystem services such as biodiversity support.
Dynamic Assessment of Nature …
301
physical and functional properties gathered from all contributors to the design and
implementation. A major benefit of using BIM is enabling collaboration in-between
different stakeholders through the interoperable, shared representation of the object
[27, 28] and this applies to the different tools and approaches proposed for
assessment here. For NBS, this perspective of object level modelling is promising
as many solutions offer different impacts at object level, such as regulating functions related to thermal comfort, while contributing to the urban environment’s
cumulative natural assets, such as the carbon storage of a city.
EPESUS software has been using BIM to generate detailed data for Sustainable
Energy and Carbon Action Plans (SECAP) for local governments [30].
DesignBuilder software is used as a building energy modelling interface for
Energy + to generate time series energy consumption data for the building models.
Building types are determined based on available data and surveys held in the
subject area of the SECAP. These types are then attributed to building masses
drawn on a GIS interface of the city and their building energy model data is
extrapolated in EPESUS. Results are calibrated to achieve the closest alignment
with real bill data and spatial distribution based on neighbourhood characteristics.
Upon obtaining a baseline, scenarios are studied based on proposed interventions
such as envelope specifications and heating and cooling systems.
Such use of BIM for allocation to GIS units has been referred to as a City
Information Model (CIM): incorporating object models that generate data to
decision support tools using GIS [29]. What EPESUS does (Fig. 2) is using BIM
and generating assumptions, aligning them with real data and achieving scenarios
on a GIS in this regard. EPESUS is currently capable of modelling energy consumption, carbon emissions and life cycle impact, also delivering hotspots in the
impact area. EPESUS can also visualize impacts like pollution as heat-maps.
These capabilities provide a good base to integrate NBS into an assessment
method that imports time series data and delivers a dynamic assessment, with an
ability to use BIM to consider micro scale impacts. Having detailed information at
object level allows EPESUS to display heat-maps over a GIS interface to visualize
local conditions. NBS can be part of the BIM stage of this assessment method. Such
an LCA tool with GIS capabilities is functional to see some of the most desired
effects of NBS including:
– Urban heat island mitigation in areas of reflective surfaces and dense population,
– Pollution control based on heat-maps resulting from energy systems and density,
– Areas’ desirability for urban agents and behavioural impact,
– Other local ecosystem services such as biodiversity support.
Dynamic Assessment of Nature …
301