Kızılay Boulevard, situated in Istanbul’s Kartal district, comprises a mix of aging residential blocks and new developments. While recent efforts have targeted emissions from transportation, the energy performance of buildings remains a major concern. As part of the Kartal Positive Energy District (PED) initiative, our research addresses the building sector’s role in energy demand and emissions, focusing on two critical pathways: reducing energy consumption in new buildings using BIM and retrofitting existing structures with strategic, performance-oriented upgrades.
Energy Demand and Building Performance
The existing building stock on Kızılay Boulevard often suffers from thermal inefficiencies, outdated HVAC systems, and poor material performance. Without substantial intervention, these buildings will continue to undermine efforts toward energy neutrality. Conversely, new construction presents an opportunity to design buildings that are not only energy-efficient but capable of generating surplus energy.
Design Strategies for New Construction Using BIM
For newly planned buildings, we adopted an integrated design approach using Building Information Modeling (BIM) to simulate and optimize energy performance from the early stages. Strategies include:
- High-Performance Envelopes: BIM-modeled insulation and airtightness minimize thermal losses and enhance resilience.
- Passive Design: Orientation, ventilation, daylighting, and shading reduce energy demand naturally.
- Efficient Glazing: Well-placed, high-performance windows balance thermal comfort and daylight use.
- Smart HVAC Systems: Energy-efficient heating and cooling with BIM-optimized controls.
- Green Roofs: Vegetated roofs boost insulation, lower urban heat, and manage runoff.
- Low-Carbon Materials: BIM-guided selection cuts embodied carbon through life cycle analysis.
- BEMS: Real-time systems monitor and optimize operational energy use.
Retrofitting Strategies for Existing Buildings
Using BIM technologies, our retrofit strategies are based on targeted diagnostics and simulation feedback. Applied methods include:
- Envelope Upgrade: Add insulation and improve airtightness to reduce energy loss.
- Window Replacement: Install double/triple-glazed units for better thermal performance.
- HVAC Upgrade: Replace old systems with efficient, smart-controlled units.
- Thermal Bridge Mitigation: Model and scan to resolve key heat loss points.
- Green Roof Retrofit: Add vegetated roofs where feasible to boost insulation.
- Infrared Audits: Use thermal imaging to detect and target retrofit needs.
Without substantial intervention, aging buildings on Kızılay Boulevard will continue to undermine efforts toward energy neutrality.
The Future of Kızılay Boulevard
This research underscores the need to move beyond traditional design and retrofit practices toward digitally enabled, data-driven methods. BIM applications allow for a unified approach across new and existing buildings, ensuring that each intervention contributes toward the overarching goal of a climate-neutral Positive Energy District in Kartal. With strong municipal support and interdisciplinary collaboration, Kızılay Boulevard has the potential to become a leading example of sustainable, building-scale transformation in Istanbul.
