About the Journal

Focus and Scope

The Journal of Sustainable Architecture and Civil Engineering (SACE) is an international, peer-reviewed open-access interdisciplinary journal dedicated to advancing knowledge and practice in sustainable development within the built environment. The journal serves as a platform for disseminating original research, critical reviews, and case studies that explore the integration of sustainability principles in architecture, civil engineering, and urban planning.

SACE welcomes contributions that address, but are not limited to, the following areas:

Sustainability

Net-Zero and Certified Sustainable Buildings
Circular Economy and Carbon Footprint Reduction
Bio-Based and Low-Carbon Technologies
Sustainable Water and Waste Management
Environmental Comfort and Data-Driven Design

Digital Construction, BIM, and Digital Twins

Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Digital Twins
Computational and Parametric Design Tools
Digital Retrofitting and HBIM for Heritage
Data Standards and Interoperability
AI and Automation in Construction Processes

Climate Adaptation and Resilience

Integrated Climate Adaptation in the Built Environment
Nature-Based Solutions and Ecosystem-Based Adaptation
Digital Technologies for Climate Resilience
Social Equity and Community-Based Adaptation
Post-Disaster Recovery and Adaptive Reuse

Architecture and Urbanism

Climate-Responsive and Resilient Built Environments
Heritage, Identity, and Adaptive Reuse
Inclusive and Regenerative Design
Innovation in Architecture and Urban Space
Theories, Methods, and Critical Practice

Energy and Buildings

Renewable Energy and Building-Integrated Systems
Energy-Efficient and Net-Zero Buildings
Simulation Tools and Digital Twins
Occupant Behavior and Energy Use
Life Cycle Energy and Operational Carbon

Construction, Materials, and Structural Performance

Sustainable, Innovative, and Bio-Based Construction Materials
Modular, Prefabricated, and Industrialized Construction Systems
Structural Performance, Durability, and Seismic Resilience
Building Envelope, Hygrothermal Safety, and Retrofit Technologies
Life Cycle Assessment, Environmental Impact, and Digital Construction Tools

Microclimate and Indoor Environmental Quality

Thermal Comfort and Passive Design
Indoor Air Quality and Ventilation
Acoustic Comfort and Noise Control
Health, Resilience, and Indoor Environment Quality

The journal encourages interdisciplinary research and collaboration that bridge the gap between theory and practice, aiming to contribute to the global discourse on sustainable development and the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Publication Frequency

2 issues per year

Peer Review Process and Plagiarism Policy

Peer Review Process

All submissions to the Journal of Sustainable Architecture and Civil Engineering undergo rigorous peer review through the Open Journal System (OJS).
Manuscripts may be declined without external review if they do not meet the journal’s standards for originality, relevance, or scientific quality. These initial decisions are usually communicated to authors within three to six weeks.

Manuscripts that pass preliminary evaluation are sent for double-blind peer review by at least two independent reviewers. Authors may suggest potential reviewers, although the Editorial Board retains the final decision on reviewer selection to ensure impartiality.
The peer review process may take up to three months.

Following the review, the Editorial Board will make the final decision regarding acceptance, revision, or rejection, typically within three to six weeks after receiving the reviewers' feedback.

Authors are expected to revise their manuscripts in response to reviewers' comments within two weeks to two months, depending on the extent of revisions required. Revised submissions must highlight all changes and be accompanied by a detailed response to reviewers' comments.

The Editorial Board holds sole authority over final decisions regarding publication. Authors are asked to respect the Board's decisions without further appeal.

Editorial policies and procedures may be updated at any time without prior notification to authors.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism constitutes a serious breach of academic integrity. It involves using another author's work, ideas, or expressions without proper attribution. Authors bear full responsibility for ensuring the originality of their submissions.

The Journal of Sustainable Architecture and Civil Engineering uses Crossref Similarity Check software to detect duplication or plagiarism. If confirmed, appropriate action will be taken, which may include publishing a correction, retracting the article, notifying the author’s institution, and/or alerting relevant academic bodies.

Self-plagiarism is also considered unethical; authors must not re-use substantial parts of their previous publications without proper citation and permission where required.

Authors must inform the Editorial Board about any potential overlaps with previously published material and confirm that their manuscript is not under consideration elsewhere.

We follow a strict single-submission policy: authors must submit to only one journal at a time and must not resubmit elsewhere until a formal rejection has been received. This principle does not eliminate consideration for the publication of any paper previously rejected by another journal.

Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement

The Journal of Sustainable Architecture and Civil Engineering is committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards in scholarly publishing.

We affirm the importance of integrity, transparency, and accountability in all aspects of research and publication.

Our ethical principles are informed by internationally recognized guidelines, particularly those of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) (https://publicationethics.org/guidance) and the Declaration of Helsinki (https://www.wma.net/policies-post/wma-declaration-of-helsinki/).
However, the specific ethical policies of this journal have been independently developed and are owned by the journal itself.

Professional and Ethical Considerations

Manuscripts having political profiles or unsubstantiated criticisms of other researchers or works are not accepted.

Our focus is on publishing articles that demonstrate scientific innovation, relevance, and practical contribution to architecture, civil engineering, and related fields.

We prioritize original research and evidence-based practice.

Research Involving Human Participants

Authors whose studies involve human participants must confirm:

Approval by an appropriate institutional ethics review board.
Written informed consent obtained from all participants.
Protection of participant anonymity and confidentiality unless explicit consent for disclosure has been given.

Authors must declare adherence to ethical standards such as the Declaration of Helsinki (https://www.wma.net/policies-post/wma-declaration-of-helsinki/) in their manuscripts.

Failure to comply with these requirements may result in rejection or retraction.

Misleading Publication

Manuscripts must accurately report research findings without fabrication, falsification, or selective reporting. Translations from other languages must not misrepresent the original meaning.

Authors must clearly distinguish between opinions and verifiable facts. Overinterpretation or speculative conclusions must be avoided to prevent misleading readers.

Malpractice Statement

Academic misconduct, including plagiarism, data fabrication, unethical research, or violation of intellectual property rights, is not tolerated.

If misconduct is suspected, an internal investigation will be conducted by a panel of editors. If misconduct is confirmed, actions may include manuscript rejection, retraction of published articles, notification of authors' institutions, and potential bans on future submissions for up to three years.

Appeals regarding investigation outcomes may be submitted to the Editor-in-Chief within 30 days of notification.

Ethical Guidelines for Journal Publication

The publication of an article in the Journal of Sustainable Architecture and Civil Engineering represents a collaborative effort between authors, editors, reviewers, the publisher, and the broader scientific community. High standards of ethical behavior and integrity are essential at every stage of the publication process.

Peer-reviewed research serves as the foundation of scientific development. It is therefore crucial that all parties involved uphold rigorous standards to ensure the credibility, accuracy, and transparency of the published record.

Kaunas University of Technology, as the publisher of the Journal of Sustainable Architecture and Civil Engineering, assumes its responsibilities with utmost seriousness. We are committed to maintaining the integrity of the scholarly record through transparent editorial practices, impartial evaluation, and strict adherence to ethical guidelines.

The journal guarantees that editorial decisions are made independently of any commercial or financial interests. Revenues from advertising, reprints, or other sources have no influence on editorial judgments. The Editorial Board also actively supports collaboration and communication with other journals and publishers when addressing issues of ethical concern or in handling disputes.

Our ethical framework draws inspiration from internationally recognized guidelines such as the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) (https://publicationethics.org/guidance) and the Declaration of Helsinki (https://www.wma.net/policies-post/wma-declaration-of-helsinki/), while maintaining independently formulated journal policies tailored to our fields of research.

Duties of Authors, Editorial Board and Reviewers

Duties of Authors

Authors are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, accuracy, and academic honesty in their research and reporting.

Accuracy and objectivity: Manuscripts must present an accurate, detailed, and objective account of the research performed. Underlying data should be reported faithfully, allowing others to replicate or verify the findings.
Originality and plagiarism: Submitted work must be entirely original. Authors must properly cite any content, data, or ideas sourced from others. Plagiarism in any form, including self-plagiarism, is unethical and unacceptable.
Acknowledgment of sources: Proper acknowledgment of the work of others is mandatory. Personal communications or unpublished materials must not be used without explicit written consent from the original source.
Authorship criteria: Authorship should be limited to those who have made significant intellectual contributions to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the study. All those who made substantial contributions should be listed as co-authors, while others who provided ancillary support should be acknowledged separately.
Disclosure of conflicts of interest: Authors must disclose any financial or other significant conflicts that could influence the results or interpretation of their work. All sources of financial support must be clearly acknowledged.
Correction of errors: If authors discover a significant error or inaccuracy after publication, it is their obligation to promptly notify the journal and cooperate in correcting or retracting the article as necessary.
Research ethics compliance: Research involving human participants must include evidence of ethical approval by appropriate institutional ethics review board and written informed consent. Confidentiality and anonymity of participants must be preserved unless explicit consent for disclosure has been obtained.

Duties of the Editorial Board

The Editorial Board is entrusted with ensuring that the journal maintains high ethical and academic standards throughout the publishing process.

Publication decisions: Editors evaluate manuscripts based on academic merit, originality, significance, and relevance to the journal’s aims, without regard to race, gender, religious beliefs, citizenship, or political philosophy of the authors.
Confidentiality: Editors and editorial staff must not disclose any information about submitted manuscripts to anyone outside the review and publication process.
Conflict of interest and ethical oversight: Editors must recuse themselves from handling manuscripts where conflicts of interest exist. Any privileged information obtained through manuscript handling must be kept confidential and not used for personal advantage.
Misconduct investigations: Editors must respond to ethical concerns with appropriate measures, including investigation, correction, retraction, or expression of concern as necessary. Each case will be handled consistently and transparently, even if the issue arises long after publication.
Plagiarism detection: Editors must ensure that all manuscripts are screened for plagiarism using Crossref Similarity Check or equivalent tools.

Duties of the Reviewers

Peer reviewers play a crucial role in supporting the quality and integrity of scientific publications.

Contribution to editorial decisions: Reviewers assist editors by evaluating the quality, originality, and validity of the manuscript and suggesting improvements where necessary.
Promptness: Reviewers should only agree to review if they can do so promptly. If a timely review is not possible, reviewers must inform the editor immediately.
Confidentiality: Manuscripts under review must be treated as confidential documents and not shared or discussed with unauthorized individuals.
Objectivity and constructiveness: Reviews must be objective and constructive, avoiding personal criticism of the authors. Clear, substantiated feedback is expected.
Acknowledgment of sources: Reviewers should identify relevant works that have not been cited and alert editors to any substantial similarities or overlaps with other published works they are aware of.
Conflict of interest: Reviewers must disclose any conflicts of interest and decline to review if they cannot provide an unbiased evaluation.

Use of Generative AI and AI-Assisted Tools in Manuscript Preparation and Peer Review

To ensure transparency and uphold scientific integrity, the Journal of Sustainable Architecture and Civil Engineering sets the following guidelines regarding the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and AI-assisted tools in the preparation of manuscripts and during the peer review process.

For Authors:

Authors are required to disclose any use of generative AI tools in the preparation of their manuscript at the time of initial submission.
AI technologies may be used to assist with language refinement and readability improvements only. Their use in data analysis or methodology must be clearly distinguished and supported by appropriate validation.
Authors must ensure that all AI-generated content is thoroughly reviewed, edited, and verified. Responsibility for the accuracy, originality, and integrity of the manuscript rests entirely with the authors. AI tools can produce plausible-sounding but incorrect or biased information, and their outputs should not be used without critical human oversight.
Generative AI tools must not be listed as authors or co-authors. Authorship carries responsibilities such as accountability, interpretation, and ethical conduct, which cannot be assigned to non-human entities.
Any use of AI in the manuscript writing process must be acknowledged in a separate section titled “Use of AI Tools in the Preparation of the Manuscript” before the references section. Example Statement:
During the preparation of this article, the author(s) used [name of AI tool or service] to support language editing and improve text clarity. The authors reviewed and revised the content independently and assume full responsibility for the accuracy and integrity of the work.

For Reviewers:

Reviewers must not use generative AI tools to produce, summarize, or revise peer review reports. Reviews should reflect the reviewer’s own critical assessment and academic judgment.
The use of AI tools for language correction or simplification during the review process is only permitted if the content is not shared with external platforms or cloud-based services. Reviewers must ensure that any tools used do not compromise the confidentiality of the manuscript. We recommend using only offline software or tools that guarantee strict data privacy. Manuscript content must not be entered into public AI interfaces or online applications.
If reviewer is unsure about the acceptable use of such tools, they should consult the journal’s editorial office before proceeding.

The Journal of Sustainable Architecture and Civil Engineering is committed to ensuring that all ethical standards described here are not just formalities but are genuinely implemented throughout all stages of the editorial and publication processes.

By setting and maintaining high ethical standards, we seek to contribute to the credibility and advancement of scientific knowledge in the fields of sustainable architecture and civil engineering.

Open Access Policy

Journal of Sustainable Architecture and Civil Engineering is published open access under the CC-BY 4.0 licence which allows readers to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of the articles. The journal provides open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge.

The copyright for the articles in this journal is retained by the author(s) with the first publication right granted to the journal. The authors agree to the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 agreement under which the paper in the Journal is licensed.

License

Journal of Sustainable Architecture and Civil Engineering is distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) license.

Data Bases

Scientific materials published in Journal of Sustainable Architecture and Civil Engineering are abstracted and indexed in:

Scopus

EBSCO

IndexCopernicus Inernational

Ulrich's Periodicals Directory/ulrichsweb databases

DOAJ

Journal History

The publication of the Journal of Sustainable Architecture and Civil Engineering was started in 2012. The publishing of the journal was encouraged by the array of the topics addressed by two international scientific conferences organized by the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture and the Department of Architecture and Land Management of Kaunas University of Technology - the Advanced Construction and the Ecological Architecture – and the publications in the proceedings of these conferences.

Publisher

Kaunas University of Technology

Print ISSN: 2029-9990

Online ISSN: 2335-2000