The true cost of construction: An analysis of the carbon dioxide emissions from the materials used in a pedestrian bridge

Design of `green buildings´ has become a major area of research in architecture and civil engineering. However, construction of buildings and infrastructure has not evolved at a similar pace. This paper uses various life cycle assessment techniques to examine the carbon dioxide emissions from the production of key materials used in the construction of a landmark pedestrian bridge and how those emissions add to the financial cost of the bridge. The carbon dioxide emissions from the construction of the actual Streicker Bridge are compared with two hypothetical bridges of identical design constructed in Germany and Spain. This case study serves as an example of further research that should be performed to lessen the environmental impacts of construction.