Determining the Level of Market Concentration in the Construction Sector—Case of Application of the HHI Index

Background—competitive conditions are often distorted in the construction sector, therefore this affects the market position of all participants. This paper seeks to find the tools for properly assessment of participants by Herfindahl-Hirschmann index (HHI) and to identify what parameters have the greatest impact in the competitiveness of the construction sector. Methods: in this article the DEMATEL method was used whereas tool for assessing the balance of market concentration as it may help to determine factor with the greatest influence on a firm’s HHI. Results in this work showed how different parameters affect each other and their impact on a value of a firms’s HHI. When the parameters are determined, they can be useful for assesment of mergers their influence on the HHI and alteration of the market’s power balance. Conclusions—The calculation of the HHI by using the DEMATEL method allowed to check the empirical implementation check of the multicriteria assessment method, on the market power of business entities, operating in the distorted market conditions of the construction sector.

A GIS-Based Multicriteria Assessment for Identification of Positive Energy Districts Boundary in Cities

Discussions regarding the definition of Positive Energy Districts and the concept of a boundary are still being actively held. Even though there are certain initiatives working on the boundary limitations for PEDs, there is no methodology or tool developed for selecting peculiar spaces for future PED implementations. The paper focuses on a flexible GIS-based Multicriteria assessment method that identifies the most suitable areas to reach an annual positive non-renewable energy balance. For that purpose, a GIS-based tool is developed to indicate the boundary from an energy perspective harmonized with urban design and land-use planning. The method emphasizes evaluation through economic, social, political, legal, environmental, and technical criteria, and the results present the suitability of areas at macro and micro scales. The current study outlines macro-scale analyses in six European cities that represent Follower Cities under the MAKING-CITY H2020 project. Further research will be conducted for micro-scale analyses and the outcomes will pursue a technology selection process.

Estimating the Smart Readiness Indicator in the Italian Residential Building Stock in Different Scenarios

The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive 2018/844/EU introduced the smart readiness indicator (SRI) to provide a framework to evaluate and promote building smartness in Europe. In order to establish a methodological framework for the SRI calculation, two technical studies were launched, at the end of which a consolidated methodology to calculate the SRI of a building basing on a flexible and modular multicriteria assessment has been proposed. In this paper the authors applied the above-mentioned methodology to estimate the SRI of the Italian residential building stock in different scenarios. To this end, eight “smart building typologies”, representative of the Italian residential building stock, have been identified. For each smart building typology, the SRI was calculated in three scenarios: (a) base scenario (building stock as it is); (b) an “energy scenario” (simple energy retrofit) and (c) a “smart energy scenario” (energy retrofit from a smart perspective). It was therefore possible to estimate a national average SRI value of 5.0%, 15.7%, and 27.5% in the three above defined scenarios, respectively.

Dementia-Friendly Design: A Set of Design Criteria and Design Typologies Supporting Wayfinding

Objectives, purpose, or aim: This study aims to gain insights into the implementation of theoretical knowledge on dementia-friendly design into practice to (1) identify key design criteria stimulating spatial orientation and wayfinding for seniors with dementia and (2) determine the optimal design for this purpose. Background: Spatial orientation problems of seniors with dementia can be counteracted by the design of the physical environment of inpatient care facilities. Research has been conducted about design features supporting wayfinding skills for this target group, however, not on their implementation. Methods: Fourteen floor plans of the living group of built projects have been evaluated on 14 design criteria supporting wayfinding skills for the target group and measurable in floor plans by the performance of a comparative floorplan analysis and multicriteria assessment. Results: Although one third of the evaluated design criteria are properly implemented, all floor plans of the selected projects had some gaps in fulfilling all design criteria. Five typological floor plans—based on the circulation systems of the cases—were distinguished: one straight corridor structured by two walls, one corridor with corners, two corridors separated from each other by the living room, a continuous loop corridor, and a corridor framed by a wall and interior elements (e.g., cabinets). The majority of the cases was based on a linear system with one straight corridor. Conclusions: Based on this study, three of the five discovered typological floor plans work well for stimulating wayfinding. Furthermore, special attention need to be given to the configuration of the floor plans, shape, and daylight in the corridor.

FACTORS DETERMINING THE DEVELOPMENT OF INTELLIGENT TRANSPORT SYSTEMS

Purpose – foreign and Lithuanian researchers analyse the benefits of ITS (Intelligent transport systems) application and development opportunities in various aspects. Due to the rapid development of technology, most authors emphasise the need for new or at least repeated research on intelligent transport systems ITS. The aim of this article is to evaluate the factors determining the development of ITS after theoretical substantiation. Research methodology – the primary data was collected from the following databases: Eurostat, OECD, World Bank. This study uses the analysis of scientific literature, expert survey, multicriteria assessment (SAW and COPRAS methods). Findings – the results of this article indicate which factors determine the development of ITS the most: investments, the aim to increase road safety, well-developed infrastructure. It also identifies which of the chosen for analaysis countries has the greatest potential for developing of ITS – Germany. Research limitations – firstly, due to the lack of statistics only eight countries are included and the period of analysis is only two years. Another limitation is that experts from only two countries completed the survey. Practical implications – research on the development of ITS is carried out in order to analyse the country that has the biggest opportunity to develop ITS and the factors affecting the mentioned development. The results can be beneficial for ministries of transport in different countries for planning the application of ITS. Originality/Value – current study contributes to the existing literature by examining the specific factors affecting the development of ITS that were not analysed earlier. This article differs from others as includes some Northern ,Western European and Baltic countries. Findings can be used by government in planning the installation of ITS to get the maximum benefit from it.