Researchers say low-carbon urban construction could help cities address two major challenges at once: the growing demand for housing and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the built environment.
Low-carbon urban construction focuses on reducing emissions from building materials, urban design, and development patterns. By using lower-emission materials, building more multi-unit housing, and accounting for construction emissions, cities could expand housing while significantly reducing the climate footprint of urban growth.
A new study found that urban construction alone accounts for roughly 10-20% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Much of that impact comes not from the energy used in buildings themselves, but from the materials required to build them. Steel and cement are among the largest contributors. These materials are essential for modern infrastructure, yet their production releases large amounts of carbon dioxide.
Cement manufacturing, for example, generates emissions from both the energy used in production and the chemical reactions involved in producing clinker, the key ingredient in concrete. As cities continue to grow and expand, construction-related emissions are expected to increase.
Low-carbon urban construction aims to reduce these emissions while still allowing cities to build the housing and infrastructure they need. Researchers say the solution lies in combining smarter materials, more efficient housing designs, and improved urban planning.
One promising approach is to replace some steel and concrete with engineered wood products. Materials such as cross-laminated timber can support large buildings while storing carbon inside the wood itself.
Because trees absorb carbon dioxide as they grow, wood products can act as long-term carbon storage when incorporated into buildings. Modern engineered wood materials are also strong enough to support mid-rise and even high-rise structures.
This makes timber-based building methods an increasingly attractive option for low-carbon urban construction. Architects and developers are already experimenting with large timber buildings in several cities.
Another strategy highlighted in the research is shifting toward multi-unit housing rather than low-density development. Apartment buildings and other multi-family housing types typically require fewer construction materials per resident than single-family homes.
They also use land more efficiently and can reduce transportation emissions by allowing residents to live closer to services, workplaces, and public transit. From a climate perspective, compact urban development can therefore reduce emissions across multiple sectors at once.
Low-carbon urban construction also emphasizes the importance of tracking embodied emissions. These emissions include the carbon released during the production, transportation, and construction of building materials.
Traditionally, urban climate policies have focused primarily on operational emissions such as heating, cooling, and electricity use in buildings. However, researchers argue that ignoring construction emissions overlooks a major portion of the climate impact associated with urban development.
Including embodied emissions in climate planning could significantly improve how cities track and reduce their overall carbon footprints. This issue becomes especially important when considering global housing demand. Rapid urbanization means billions of people will need housing in the coming decades.
Many cities are already facing shortages that drive up housing costs and limit access to affordable homes. At the same time, constructing new buildings without addressing emissions could undermine climate targets.
Low-carbon urban construction offers a pathway to address both challenges simultaneously. By using lower-emission materials, designing more efficient housing types, and planning compact neighborhoods, cities could expand housing supply while reducing construction-related emissions.
Some cities are already experimenting with these strategies. In parts of Europe and North America, architects and developers are building multi-story residential buildings using engineered wood.
Several governments are also beginning to introduce policies that limit embodied carbon in construction projects. Urban planners are increasingly integrating climate goals into zoning rules and development policies.
These changes reflect a broader shift in how cities think about infrastructure and development. Instead of viewing housing construction and climate action as competing priorities, researchers argue they can be aligned through thoughtful planning.
However, the transition to low-carbon urban construction will require coordinated policy changes. Construction industries must adapt to new materials and design approaches while expanding supply chains for lower-emission materials.
Building codes and safety regulations may also need to be updated to accommodate emerging construction techniques. Cities will also need reliable systems to measure and monitor emissions from building materials.
Despite these challenges, the opportunity is significant. Urban areas are expected to add billions of square meters of new buildings by mid-century. If those buildings are constructed using conventional materials and development patterns, the resulting emissions could be enormous. But if cities adopt low-carbon urban construction strategies, much of that climate impact could be avoided.
The findings highlight the built environment’s central role in the global climate transition. Cities are where most people live, where infrastructure is built, and where many of the decisions shaping energy use and emissions are made.
By rethinking how buildings are designed and constructed, urban areas may be able to expand housing while moving closer to climate goals. Low-carbon urban construction, therefore, represents not only a technical solution but also a long-term planning strategy for sustainable urban growth.
