The BIM Model as a Tool Supporting LCA Analysis in the Revitalization of Degraded Areas

Abstract

This article examines the integration of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to support sustainable revitalization of post-industrial areas, using the “Pralfa” Factory in Tarnów, Poland, as a case study. Under increasing environmental and investment pressures, demolition decisions require comprehensive assessment of their environmental consequences. BIM enables the generation and comparison of design scenarios at the conceptual stage, supporting informed decision-making. LCA of the “Pralfa” Factory showed that demolition would generate approximately 195,100 kg CO2e. Two revitalization scenarios were evaluated: (1) construction using reclaimed materials recovered from demolished buildings and (2) construction using only new materials. The results demonstrated that demolition and the production of new materials substantially increase environmental impacts, while material reuse significantly reduces embodied emissions. The study confirms that BIM–LCA integration effectively supports sustainable design decisions and circular economy strategies. Its scientific contribution lies in extending BIM–LCA analysis to the end-of-life stages (C1–C4) of non-listed post-industrial buildings, addressing a gap in previous research focused mainly on new construction and stages A1–B7. The proposed workflow provides a transferable decision-support framework for circular revitalization and selective demolition planning.