Nearly and net zero energy buildings have been strongly studied in the global north, with generally a temperate climate, thus focusing on energy-efficiency measures for such climates. Few existing zero energy buildings can be found in tropical and humid climates, where most are ongoing state projects or research projects. Therefore, this chapter brings forth and analyzes the energy-efficiency measures implemented to retrofit buildings in tropical and humid climates to achieve zero-energy buildings. The first part analyzes the measures by energy measure according to building type and climate, envelope (passive and active cooling), energy systems, dampness and mold growth, occupant (thermal comfort and the occupant), renewable energy system (BIPV rooftop and facade BIPV installation), and retrofitting aspects. The second part presents and discusses a proposed framework for policy implementation for building retrofit toward NZEB in Panama based on current building regulations and research evidence, and the viability is assessed via a SWOT analysis.

Ensuring that ecosystem services are effectively maintained and integrated while also proactively adapting to the challenges posed by climate change is essential for developing sustainable and resilient housing in both new and existing settlements. The tropics cover roughly 40% of the world and are home to about 40% of the global population. By the late 2030s or 2040s, 50% of the world’s population is projected to live in the tropics. This research project investigates the intersection of sustainable construction and energy security for achieving sustainable and resilient housing in tropical climates. Examining (1) resilience strategies against climate change impacts and (2) case studies led to highlighting best practices regarding construction and energy security aspects. Finally, a reference framework is provided for architects, policymakers, and stakeholders involved in tropical housing development.

As communities face growing pressures, such as rapid urbanization and climate change, transitioning to a regenerative built environment is crucial for a more sustainable and equitable future. Thus, this chapter explores strategies for a human-centered and regenerative built environment that addresses the challenges of urbanization, climate change, and societal needs through biomaterials. This approach focuses on creating housing and infrastructure that enhances people’s quality of life while reducing environmental footprints, prioritizing sustainability, resilience, and adaptability to changing climate conditions. Key considerations include indoor air quality, thermal comfort, and built environment restoration. Regenerative design principles focus on systems that restore and regenerate natural ecosystems. Emerging innovations, biomaterials, and circular economy concepts are fundamental in implementing these principles. By using renewable resources and reducing waste, buildings and infrastructures can contribute positively to the environment rather than depleting it. Finally, case studies will illustrate how these strategies impact health, sustainability, and resilience.

This systematic review assesses indoor air quality (IAQ) in tropical residences (Köppen Af/Am/Aw), explicitly linking IAQ to ventilation from in situ monitoring and, when relevant, occupant surveys (surveys synthesized qualitatively). This focus is warranted by the scarcity of tropical, housing-specific evidence. Searches were performed exclusively in Google Scholar (25 August 2024–5 August 2025; English/Spanish) under PRISMA, with documented queries/filters; eligible studies reported residential settings, tropical climate, and IAQ–ventilation linkage. Results show a regulatory mosaic with few binding residential limits and heterogeneous protocols that hinder comparison. Robust patterns include cooking-related particle peaks, penetration of traffic dust, humidity-driven VOC/formaldehyde emissions, and mold growth under deficient hygrothermal control. CO₂ is a useful operational indicator of ventilation yet insufficient for risk assessment without PM and VOC monitoring. Evidence supports source control, cross-ventilation and/or on-demand extraction/outdoor-air supply, humidity management, and filtration/purification to avoid particle ingress during ventilation. Reporting of sensor performance (calibration, drift, RH/T effects) is inconsistent, and targeted evaluations of TVOC/formaldehyde and window screens (mesh) are scarce. We conclude that tropical residential IAQ management requires multi-parameter, continuous monitoring, standardized reporting, and trials integrating ventilation, dehumidification, and filtration under real occupancy, alongside adaptive regulation and passive tropical design augmented by light mechanical support and informed occupant behavior.

Outdoor thermal comfort in tropical cities is increasingly threatened by rapid urbanization, high humidity, and insufficient climate-sensitive planning. Despite numerous studies on urban heat mitigation, there is a lack of empirical and numerical research that evaluates the synergistic application of bioclimatic strategies under humid tropical conditions. This paper addresses this gap by analyzing the combined effect of arborization, dry mist systems, water bodies, and sprinklers on outdoor thermal comfort at the Víctor Levi Sasso Campus of the Technological University of Panama. We hypothesized that synergistic application of these strategies provides greater thermal comfort improvements than isolated interventions. The central research question guiding this study was: To what extent can combined bioclimatic strategies enhance outdoor thermal comfort compared to individual strategies in humid tropical environments? To answer this, a hybrid methodology was employed, integrating ENVI-met dynamic simulations with in situ measurements and thermal comfort surveys based on the physiological equivalent temperature (PET) index and subjective comfort scales. The results demonstrate that combined strategies achieve superior reductions in mean radiant and surface temperatures while improving subjective comfort perceptions, highlighting their potential for context-sensitive urban design in tropical regions.

The lack of urban planning and high temperatures are problems that negatively impact people's comfort. Thermal dissatisfaction in a humid tropical climate such as Panama City is a problem that we face every day, that many have in the background and deal with it without paying due attention to it, looking for palliative and expensive solutions. In this research, through modeling and simulation using the ENVI-met software and the validation of variables that affect thermal comfort, we want to have the best approximation of the level of thermal sensation in the selected area and identify the critical points of thermal discomfort in it. This area of study is the Víctor Levi Sasso Campus of the Technological University of Panama. The simulation provided us with concrete information to identify critical values of thermal nonconformity at the main transit points. After this, we take those transit points and other points with high temperature values and evaluate different factors that affect comfort in them. By means of in situ measurements, we validate the results of the simulations, giving us temperature values very similar to the simulations.