Constructive systems for social housing deployment in developing countries: A case study using dynamic life cycle carbon assessment and cost analysis in Brazil

Developing economies struggle with both dealing with a housing shortage and reducing greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions. Appropriate constructive systems can play a role in satisfying thermal comfort and providing least cost solutions. In Brazil, an innovative constructive system – precast reinforced concrete panel (RCP) – has been increasingly used to raise productivity during the building construction stage. This study aims to assess existing trade-offs between the RCP and the conventional constructive system – ceramic block masonry (CBM) – in social housing deployment. Dynamic Life Cycle Carbon Assessment (cradle-to-grave), cost analysis and building thermal-energy simulations are applied in a case study for 6 Brazilian bioclimatic zones. The main findings show that the RCP has lower upfront costs, but worse performance in terms of GHG emissions and total cost (operational costs included), leading to a trade-off between social housing deployment and GHG emissions mitigation. This study provides insights for policy makers concerned with GHG emissions mitigation in the social housing sector, especially those from developing countries, where housing demand deficit is a relevant issue.