@ARTICLE{Sobieraj_Janusz_Ecological_2025,
 author={Sobieraj, Janusz and Marin, Marcos Fernandez and Metelski, Dominik},
 volume={vol. 71},
 number={No 4},
 journal={Archives of Civil Engineering},
 pages={239 –254},
 howpublished={online},
 year={2025},
 publisher={WARSAW UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY FACULTY OF CIVIL ENGINEERING and COMMITTEE FOR CIVIL ENGINEERING POLISH ACADEMY OF SCIENCES},
 abstract={The construction sector’s environmental footprint, accounting for 40% of global CO2 emissions and 30% of waste generation, necessitates rigorous evaluation of sustainable alternatives to demolition. This study quantitatively assesses the environmental advantages of industrial site revitalization versus demolition and new construction, focusing exclusively on material conservation and emission reduction. While existing research often combines environmental with socioeconomic metrics, this analysis isolates ecological impacts through a case study of Radex Park Marywilska in Warsaw, Poland – a representative post-industrial site in a coal-dependent economy. Using life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology for 2005–2010 data, we analyze material flows (22% concrete, 3% steel, 15% brick by volume) and calculate avoided emissions using region-specific factors (e.g., 1.8 t CO2/t steel). The results demonstrate that revitalization preserved 72,315 tons of materials and reduced CO2 emissions by 48,217 tons – resulting in significant environmental savings compared to demolition scenarios, and exceeding Central European benchmarks. These savings stem primarily from bypassed demolition waste (30–50% reduction) and avoided new material production, aligning with EU circular economy targets. Key findings include: (1) steel reuse delivers 61% of total emission savings, revealing material-specific leverage points for decarbonization; (2) Poland’s carbon-intensive industrial baseline amplifies the relative benefits of adaptive reuse; and (3) standardized “avoided cost” metrics can bridge policy gaps in sustainable urban planning. The study provides a replicable framework for environmental cost accounting in post-industrial contexts, emphasizing the need for regionally tailored LCA models. We conclude that revitalization is not merely an alternative but an ecological imperative for decarbonizing urban development. Policymakers should prioritize adaptive reuse in climate action plans, leveraging its dual benefits of emission reduction and resource conservation. Future research should expand this methodology to assess the scalability of observed benefits across diverse geographic and industrial contexts.},
 type={Article},
 title={Ecological case for revitalization – quantifying CO2 and construction waste savings in post-industrial urban regeneration},
 URL={http://ochroma.man.poznan.pl/Content/137371/PDF/15_2k.pdf},
 doi={10.24425/ace.2025.156167},
 keywords={adaptive reuse, carbon footprint, circular economy, industrial revitalization, life cycle assessment, sustainable construction},
}