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Sustainable innovation in the construction industry

perceptions differed based on building type and choice urban population growth and large-scale urbanization
of material (i.e., multigenerational wood-based or in suburban areas is a phenomenon that emerged in the
concrete buildings). The results revealed discrepancies 20 century. This phenomenon was an implicit topic in
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regarding what factors were important in developing urban and regional studies for several years. Our findings
new housing. Notably, neither group was willing to pay confirm a growing trend in which certain population
more for a wooden building than a concrete one. There groups relocate from densely populated urban centers to
are certain parallels between their research and our study, suburban or peripheral areas. Our research indicates that
particularly in identifying bias and the lack of trust in the demand for individual housing is greater than ever.
wood-based constructions as the main barriers to their Various construction companies respond to this demand
more widespread use. As such, our study contributes to the by offering various construction and material solutions.
field by raising awareness of wood-based constructions. However, it is essential to verify these solutions and
Ulu and Durmuş Arsan state that the construction study their properties. The expansion of knowledge
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industry is the biggest energy consumer in Europe, with in the field of wood-based construction presented in
a share of about 40%. For this reason, it is necessary to this study serves as a step toward addressing the lack
focus on the energy efficiency of the existing and future of public confidence, which remains a barrier to wider
housing stock. They also state that energy efficiency is recognition of its benefits compared to traditional
directly related to economic, environmental, and social construction methods.
sustainability. These claims match our views based Three different limitations can be identified for this
on the research we conducted. As evident from our research. The first limitation is the number of respondents
findings, the energy-related properties of constructions or the research sample. Considering this limitation in
affect many other parameters and the overall living future research is necessary, as it is not always easy to
comfort. A study by Caniato et al. was focused on the find respondents willing to provide sincere answers. The
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thermal-technical and acoustic parameters of wood- general rule is that the larger the sample of respondents
based buildings, as wood-based buildings generally and the resulting volume of data, the greater the validity
have poor acoustic parameters. Based on their findings, of the research. The second limitation is the respondents’
modern wood-based buildings can largely eliminate awareness or prior knowledge regarding the theme of
these shortcomings and achieve higher efficiency when the questionnaire. There is a difference between answers
compared to original wood-based buildings. They can from respondents with experience with wood-based
also compete with traditional construction solutions construction and those who do not. This leads to certain
(such as masonry buildings). A study by Gardezi et al. distortions in answers. The third limitation applies to
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focused on a multivariate regression tool for predicting interpreting the findings from the correlation analyses
the embodied carbon footprint of housing habitats. They of parameters. As the analyses produced an enormous
found that an evaluation of housing requires a clear number of correlations according to the individual selected
understanding of the parameters or criteria that can be groups of respondents, it is impossible to evaluate each
evaluated and modeled in relation to buildings. They correlation between the individual parameters separately.
also emphasize that different tools are applicable for Such a detailed interpretation of findings would require a
assessing buildings at various life cycle stages. These separate article focused solely on the evaluation.
assertions are supported by Fastofski et al. Based on This study, which focuses on potential users and
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our own research experience, we concur with these investors, shows that despite the small market share of
perspectives. We can only understand which parameters wooden buildings, their design, technological, or user-
affect other parameters by examining different aspects of related parameters are generally well understood, even
construction. For example, the correlation analysis in our compared to traditional construction technologies. The
study determined how individual construction parameters conclusions confirm a growing interest in sustainable
influenced each other as perceived by future users, and healthy housing, highlighting significant potential
representing a valuable contribution to this field. This for growth in this construction sector.
insight not only enhances the ability to predict building
performance more accurately but also supports the 4. Conclusion
development of more sustainable and efficient solutions
with a positive impact on housing and housing quality. This study explored the perception of wood-based
A study by Dadashpoor and Ahani on the conceptual construction among potential users and investors
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typology of the suburban areas of cities found that global compared to traditional construction methods. The

Volume 22 Issue 3 (2025) 217 doi: 10.36922/AJWEP025080047