Abstract
The prolonged Syrian conflict has left over seven million people displaced and severely damaged critical infrastructure, necessitating urgent reconstruction. This study applies a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) framework to quantify the environmental impacts of post-conflict construction activities, focusing on material use, energy consumption, waste management, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The analysis follows ISO 14040/14044 standards and uses a mid-rise residential building in Yabroud (suburbs of Damascus governate) as a case study. Results indicate that cement production, diesel consumption, and inadequate debris management are major contributors to high carbon footprints. A proposed alternative scenario—using recycled aggregates, low-carbon cements, rooftop solar, and compressed earth blocks—demonstrates a 17% reduction in GHG emissions and a 14% decrease in embodied energy compared to the baseline. Further optimization, such as increasing renewable energy penetration and maximizing debris recycling, could cut emissions by up to 25%. Findings underscore the importance of integrating LCA, circular-economy principles, and renewable energy strategies into Syria’s rebuilding plans.
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Life Cycle assessement, Sustainable Building, Reconstruction, GHG
