Development of a Parametric Life Cycle Assessment Tool with Structural Design of Bamboo Social Housing Projects in Philippines, Nepal and India

Abstract

The United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development sets 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to address global challenges, emphasizing the construction industry's crucial role. The International Energy Agency (IEA, 2023) highlights that the construction sector accounts for 36 percent of global energy demand and 40 percent of worldwide emissions, underscoring the need to reduce carbon intensity.
This study examines Cement Bamboo Frame Technology (CBFT) as a sustainable alternative to conventional concrete housing in the Global South, focusing on the Philippines, Nepal, and India. Using a parametric Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tool, the research evaluates the environmental impact and structural reliability of CBFT.

1. Key findings include:
   Environmental Impact: CBFT housing has significantly lower carbon emissions and higher biogenic carbon storage compared to conventional concrete housing.
2. Tool Development: The parametric LCA tool provides a user-friendly interface for assessing sustainability, offering comprehensive environmental impact reports and shear wall length calculations.
3. Case Study Comparisons: CBFT’s environmental benefits are consistent across different geographical locations.
4. Biogenic Carbon Storage: Two-storey CBFT housing stores three times more biogenic carbon than one-storey housing per living floor area.

The study advocates for CBFT’s potential in sustainable construction and calls for continued collaboration between the Global North and South to enhance sustainable building practices. Future research should expand the tool's capabilities, incorporate detailed structural analyses, and verify the model with additional case studies.