Analyzing the effectiveness of enhanced building codes in Eunpyeong district of Seoul city

Abstract

As South Korea strives to achieve carbon neutrality, reducing energy consumption in buildings has become a critical focus area due to its significant contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the Green Building Creation Support Act in reducing building energy consumption and assess its impact on existing buildings. Additionally, the research proposes consultation and analysis of efficient energy-saving strategies as guidelines for future policies. Using generalized least squares (GLS) models and Chi-Squared tests, more than 3,200 buildings in the Eunpyeong-gu District were analyzed to identify the factors influencing energy consumption and propose measures for reducing energy usage. The hypothesis suggested that buildings constructed after 2013, complying with the Green Building Creation Support Act, would exhibit lower energy consumption compared to pre-2013 buildings. The findings reveal that buildings constructed after 2013, adhering to the Act's guidelines, indeed exhibit lower energy consumption. However, an interesting finding emerged regarding steel-frame structures categorized as 'I (After 2013 x Steel-Frame Structure)', which still exhibited high energy consumption. Further investigation revealed that many of these structures were temporary and prefabricated buildings utilized for commercial purposes, potentially leading to inefficiencies in energy consumption. The study emphasizes the need for reviewing and evaluating temporary buildings during the permit process, particularly in commercial districts and buildings anticipated to have higher energy consumption. Retrofitting old buildings constructed before 2013 is also crucial for achieving a sustainable and energy-efficient building environment. The outcomes of this research provide valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders, offering guidance in enhancing energy efficiency measures and utilizing open data sources for benchmarking criteria in future endeavors.