A key barrier to achieving sustainability in 15 minute cities is the efficiency of supply-chain logistics, particularly in historic urban districts characterized by dense and heritage-protected urban forms. This article presents a data-driven urban methodology to optimize last-mile logistics in Ciutat Vella (Valencia, Spain). Within the ENACT 15 min cities project, a Spatial Decision Support System (SDSS) was developed, combining iterative geospatial adjustments to the logistics network under changing boundary conditions with a demand-estimation model derived from the Valencia open-data platform. Using cadastral and field-survey data, the workflow simulates and optimizes the selection of vacant commercial premises as urban logistics hubs. A genetic algorithm minimizes oversupply, maximizes demand coverage, and improves spatial balance. The methodology also estimates the resulting carbon footprint, demonstrating that the optimized configuration enhances sustainability and service efficiency in dense historic settings. The approach is generalized to other urban contexts.

The 6th IPCC report highlights the Mediterranean as a region highly susceptible to climate change effects, including intense heatwaves and desertification. In response, evaluating urban design's impact on outdoor thermal comfort is crucial for enhancing Mediterranean cities' resilience in future climate scenarios. The automation of this process using GIS information (.shp) through computational design tools allows for a more dynamic and detailed assessment of thermal comfort, being able to take into account in the calculation, in addition to climatic data (.epw), the volumetry of buildings and the shadows cast by existing trees. Based on the calculation, the results can be assessed using outdoor comfort indicators that determine whether the percentage of public space surface in outdoor comfort conditions is sufficient during the most critical times of the year.In the specific case of Valencia, the Outdoor Thermal Comfort indicator derived from the ecological urbanism methodology adapted to Mediterranean cities like Valencia has been used. Using GIS data from the Cadastre and the Valencia City Council Data Catalog, the volumetry of all the buildings in the Benicalap district as well as the existing trees according to their species have been modeled. By introducing .epw climate data and using Ladybug, a plug-in integrated into Grasshopper 3D, the comfort conditions of all the public space in the Benicalap district have been massively calculated, a process that could be scalable and replicable to the rest of the city. The results obtained have been processed and analyzed to obtain the outdoor thermal comfort indicator. The visualization of the results of this indicator allows for the rapid detection of which street sections have adequate design conditions that favor outdoor thermal comfort, and identify those that need to be redesigned.

The World Health Organisation predicts that climate change will drastically increase the yearly mortality rate between 2030 and 2050, mainly due to heat stress. This mortality will be particularly high among populations at risk of energy poverty. Thousands of people will not be able to afford the domestic energy they need to protect themselves from heat and cold. Most buildings and urban environments are not prepared for the effects of global warming. In this context, it is essential to introduce urban climate shelters, designated spaces where residents can seek refuge during periods of extreme temperature. They provide a safe environment for individuals to recover both mentally and physically from the stresses associated with heat-induced homeostatic imbalance. The ATMÒSFERES measurement process carried out by ‘La cuarta piel’ has analysed the value of cultural centres, and more specifically the ‘Centre del Carme Cultura Contemporània’ (CCCC), located in Valencia, as climatic shelter. The analysis shows that cultural centres, which require specific air conditioning for conservation and display purposes, can incorporate indoor or semi-outdoor areas that operate in a 'free run' mode, meaning no heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are required. Despite the absence of such systems, these spaces can still offer safe and comfortable environments, thus effectively becoming passive climatic shelters that maintain the desired conditions without consuming energy. Through the measurement processes carried out by the ATMOSFERES project, the different spaces of the CCCC have been mapped using different methodologies: participatory processes for different age groups and diversity, as well as in-situ measurements and Universal Thermal Comfort Index (UTCI) simulation. This paper compares different approaches to assessing thermal comfort using heat maps. The method employed enhances simulation techniques and creates a system for categorising the various thermal environments within the studied building.

In response to the climate crisis, there is a pressing need to revisit traditional construction methods. The European Union, through its EU Green Deal, aims to double the deep energy renovations annual rate by 2030, aligning with the United Nations' goal for climate neutrality by 2050. This study evaluates the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Costs (LCC) associated with two proposed deep renovation scenarios for a public residential building managed by ‘Actuaciones Urbanas Municipales S.A.’ (AUMSA), located in Valencia, Spain. The building is comprehensively analysed using full-building energy simulations through Energy Plus, an LCA with Sima Pro, and an LCC using the Building Life Cycle Cost program. For each method and its corresponding tools, there is an alignment with the CTE HE Spanish normative and ISO standards. This detailed examination focuses on two scenarios: one employing traditional materials and the other using unconventional materials sourced locally. In the evaluated scenarios, the use of unconventional, locally sourced materials is identified as the most environmentally beneficial option. However, it is associated with higher initial costs when assessed through LCC analysis, compared to traditional methods. This finding emphasises the necessity to integrate environmental and economic assessments to formulate strategic plans for extensive energy renovations. The balance between maximising environmental benefits while optimising costs is crucial for enhancing the current rates of deep renovations. Such plans should align with the three pillars of sustainability: social, environmental, and economic, providing a comprehensive roadmap for sustainable development.

In light of climate change, significant updates are being applied to the energy efficiency of both new and existing buildings. The ‘Energy Efficiency First’ principle, advocated by the European Union, stress the necessity of integrating energy-efficient solutions at the heart of the design and implementation processes. This emphasizes integrating energy-efficient strategies from the start, recognizing that early design decisions significantly impact CO2 emissions reduction over a building's lifecycle. However, the limited interoperability between Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Building Energy Model (BEM) often postpones energy consumption calculations to later project stages, hindering the inclusion of early passive design strategies that could markedly lower energy usage. To facilitate early-stage energy simulations, a methodology promoting seamless BIM-BEM information exchange via middleware tools is essential. Integrating Rhinoceros 3D/Grasshopper 3D with Autodesk Revit through Rhinoinside, and coupling OpenStudio/EnergyPlus with Grasshopper 3D via LadyBug Tools, allows Grasshopper 3D to act as a bridge between BIM and BEM. This process begins with importing and verifying the BIM model's early-stage data—geometry of spaces, windows, and other elements—into Grasshopper 3D. Then, using Ladybug Tools, environmental parameters are established, defining the properties of building components. Honeybee facilitates direct connections to OpenStudio and EnergyPlus for advanced energy calculations, aiding in optimizing HVAC systems and overall energy performance. This approach establishes a robust workflow between BIM and BEM, enhancing software interoperability, supporting early design evaluations, and allowing for the validation of passive design strategies. It aligns with the 'energy efficiency first' principle, supporting design decisions that prioritize energy efficiency from the outset, enabling precise simulations of solar radiation, energy consumption, and emissions, and fostering a foundation in passive design measures.