Traditional Construction Wisdom in Developing Regions: Sustainable Urbanization and Local-Eco Adaptation
A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Building Energy, Physics, Environment, and Systems".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 February 2025 | Viewed by 255
Special Issue Editors
Interests: sustainably built environment; green building; renewable energy application; smart and resilient city; urban–rural interaction; regional and cultural architecture
Interests: civil and structural engineering; transit-oriented development; machine learning in building design; sustainable construction and management
Interests: architectural design; green building technologies and application; HV∾ urban-rural interaction; heat and mass transfer analysis
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Traditional architecture in developing regions stands as a testament to human ingenuity, reflecting a profound understanding of local environmental dynamics, cultural traditions and community needs. For centuries, indigenous builders have crafted dwellings, villages and cities that seamlessly integrate with their natural surroundings, demonstrating an inherent wisdom that prioritizes sustainability, resilience and cultural continuity. However, amidst the rapid urbanization and modernization sweeping across developing regions, traditional architectural practices are facing unprecedented challenges. The allure of modernity often leads to the neglect or outright abandonment of age-old building techniques, materials and design principles. As a result, many communities are losing touch with their architectural heritage, while simultaneously grappling with pressing issues such as environmental degradation, resource scarcity and social inequality.
As such, it is of great importance to re-evaluate the role of traditional architecture in the pursuit of sustainable urbanization and ecological adaptation in developing regions. By tapping into the wealth of knowledge embedded within traditional building practices, innovative solutions to contemporary challenges can be comprehensively uncovered. Moreover, revitalizing traditional architecture not only promotes environmental sustainability, but also fosters a sense of cultural identity, social cohesion and community empowerment.
This Special Issue seeks to illuminate the intrinsic value of traditional architecture in the context of sustainable development, with a particular focus on rural, remote and underdeveloped areas. By exploring the intersection of traditional wisdom with emerging concepts such as smart technologies, regionalism and ecological resilience, we aim to inspire dialogue, innovation and action toward more inclusive and environmentally sensitively built environments. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange, we can harness the lessons of the past to inform the design, planning and governance of resilient and culturally vibrant cities and communities. By embracing the principles of traditional architecture, we can pave the way toward a more sustainable, equitable and harmonious future for all.
Dr. Yin Zhang
Dr. Ahad Amini Pishro
Dr. Jin Li
Dr. Ying Huang
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- building performance
- traditional and cultural architecture
- remote and developing regions
- local construction wise
- smart and resilient communities
- rural–urban interaction
- regional adaptation
- sustainable spatial planning
- eco design cases
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