Improved component approach of ecological footprint for construction project and its application

A construction project is of dual characteristics which are product nature and process nature. In the study of environmental impact from a construction project, the traditional component approach can only measure the environmental impact of process nature without the one of product nature. A method of ecological footprint for construction project (EFCP) is put forward, including concepts, composition, calculation approach, eco-efficiency and eco-consumption intensity, according to the basic principle of the conventional component approach. This new method has improved the traditional component approach, which takes into account the embodied ecological footprint of buildings as a measure for the product nature and introduces the duration modulus α. The improved component approach is more comprehensive and accurate compared with the traditional one. The case study demonstrates how the improved component approach can be used to fully measure the environmental impact of a construction project.