This paper presents a theoretical thermodynamics-based viewpoint on buildings that is synthetically explained through an energy systems diagram. Considering that buildings, and also historical buildings, can be conceived in terms of energy and material fl ows and stocks, we discussed here two methods for assessing environmental resource use due to building construction, maintenance and use. In a sustainability framework, outcomes provide information about some common activities and practices

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... ated to buildings and housing -such as planning practices based on physical limits to the construction of new buildings or more practical activities of restoration of existing buildings, including cultural heritage -in terms of energy, emergy and ecological footprint. A new research is thus needed in order to stimulate good practices such as conservation of historical buildings and the defi nition of new thermodynamics-based urban indexes for regulating building construction in contemporary cities.