“From Data to Decisions: AI, Digital Twins, and Cyber-Physical Systems for Intelligent and Sustainable Built Environments”

Call for Papers – Special Issue: “From Data to Decisions: AI, Digital Twins, and Cyber-Physical Systems for Intelligent and Sustainable Built Environments”

Journal: Smart and Sustainable Built Environment
Publisher: Emerald Publishing
Submission deadline: 31 December 2026

Overview

This special issue—published by Emerald—seeks to bridge the gap between high-level technological potential (AI, digital twins, and cyber-physical systems) and the practical realities of construction and building management. While buildings contribute ~40% of global carbon emissions, the sector often struggles to move beyond "proof-of-concept" technology. This issue invites research that emphasizes the integration of digital innovation with organizational change management, policy frameworks, and real-world deployment strategies. It aims to showcase how data-centric methodologies can be translated into measurable sustainability improvements in the built environment.

Key Research Themes

• Intelligent Lifecycle Management: Integrating BIM, digital twins, IoT networks, and cyber-physical systems for improved building performance and maintenance.

• Data-Driven Sustainability: AI and machine learning applications for energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality (IEQ), circular economy principles, and decarbonization.

• Organizational Adoption: Barriers and enablers for digital transformation, including business models, workforce development, interoperability, and change management.

• Governance & Ethics: Policy frameworks and ethical considerations regarding data privacy, cybersecurity, and responsible AI deployment.

• Empirical Impact: Case studies demonstrating real-world productivity impacts and comparative assessments of "promised vs. realized" benefits of digital construction technologies.

Submission Details

• Submission deadline: 31 December 2026.

• Submission portal: https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/sasbe

• Special Instructions: You must select the special issue title from the dropdown menu in response to “Please select the issue you are submitting to” during the submission process.

• Submission Standards: The journal welcomes original research, empirical case studies, and reviews. All manuscripts must adhere to the Smart and Sustainable Built Environment Author Guidelines.

Guest Editor Team

• Dr. M. Reza Hosseini, University of Melbourne (mreza.hosseini@unimelb.edu.au)

• Dr. Ania Khodabakhshian, Politecnico di Milano (ania.khodabakhshian@polimi.it)

• Dr. Mazdak Nik-Bakht, Concordia University (mazdak.nikbakht@concordia.ca)

• Dr. Ruoyu Jin, Brunel University (ruoyu.jin@brunel.ac.uk)

Why This Issue Matters

Accelerating the digital transformation of the construction sector is not just a technological challenge; it is a critical requirement for global climate goals. By focusing on the "how" of deployment—organizational, policy, and human factors—this special issue provides the evidence-based roadmap needed to ensure that smart building investments actually lead to the promised environmental and productivity gains.

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