Panadés, K.; Olbina, S. and Kohlman Rabbani, E. R. (2026) Social sustainability in building retrofit projects: A systematic literature review. International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, 44(4), pp. 1098-1120. ISSN 2398-4708
Abstract
Purpose – This study analyzes social sustainability in building retrofit projects, highlighting approaches, benefits and indicators to advance sustainable practices in construction, while identifying research gaps and developing a framework of social sustainability indicators. Design/methodology/approach – A systematic literature review was performed using the PRISMA method, based on the Scopus and Engineering Village databases. The analysis covers aspects of social sustainability in building retrofit projects, types of intervention, social applications, project management, benefits, evaluation methods, research gaps and framework. Findings – The retrofits were categorized into six types: Energy, Comfort, Architectural, Structural, Historical and Global. Energy retrofits (41%) were the most frequent, while structural (4%) were less studied. Key benefits included improved community impact, worker well-being and tools like Building Information Modeling. The study identified 15 tools/indices and 107 indicators, organized into seven categories. "Occupant comfort and well-being" category had the most indicators, while "Productivity and operational efficiency" had the least. Research gaps were noted, particularly in structural and architectural interventions. A framework of social sustainability indicators for retrofit projects was proposed, with 31 key themes. Originality/value – This study presents an analysis of social sustainability in building retrofit projects, illustrating its practical applications and importance. It identifies key indicators and proposes a conceptual framework for assessment. By filling existing gaps and highlighting opportunities for future research, this study advances sustainable building practices and promotes social sustainability approaches.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | framework; retrofit; social sustainability |
| Index terms: | methodology, productivity, database, project management, efficiency, key indicator, sustainable practice, social sustainability, well-being, sustainable building practice, comfort, building information modelling, conceptual framework, systematic literature review |
| Subjects: | mental health and wellbeing, communities and social development, project management theory and practice, research evaluation and metrics, performance management, occupational health and safety management, theoretical framing, management, information systems, data management, research methods, sustainable practices, project delivery, sustainability and energy |
| Topics: | Business Strategy, Stakeholder Management, Health and Safety, Research Practice, Project Management, Sustainability, Digital Applications, Quality Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here