Renovation versus demolition and reconstruction: the state of the art of LCA studies in a resource efficiency perspective

As the construction industry transitions to a more sustainable society, the management of existing buildings is critical to minimizing environmental impact and resource consumption. A key debate in the regeneration of the building stock is whether it is more sustainable to renovate buildings or to demolish and rebuild them. Both approaches have advantages and challenges. Refurbishment helps save on materials and signi?icantly reduces embodied carbon emissions. On the other hand, demolition followed by reconstruction can improve energy ef?iciency, especially when advanced technologies are integrated. This paper analyses the state of the art regarding the application of the LCA tool in scienti?ic research to compare the environmental impacts of renovation and demolition/reconstruction of a building considering the whole life cycle of its materials and resources, focusing on methodological frameworks, impact categories, and key assumptions. The ?indings reveal that a signi?icant portion of the reviewed studies suggest that renovation signi?icantly reduces environmental impact compared to demolition and reconstruction, particularly in terms of Global Warming Potential (GWP) and embodied energy. However, results are often inconsistent due to differences in evaluation criteria, such as system boundaries de?initions. Finally, the review highlights the urgent need for a more structured and integrated methodological framework that not only assesses environmental impacts but also considers economic and social factors. A comprehensive approach to sustainability assessment is crucial for guiding informed decision-making and promoting more responsible construction practices.