The built environment, as a vehicle of the architectural industry, ought to be considered as one trigger leading to global climate change. This has been proven by approximately 40% of worldwide energy consumption and a third of greenhouse gas emissions, which are the result of the impact of buildings (UNEP,2020).
The construction industry, involving the extraction, processing, and transportation of materials, contributes to rapid environmental destruction and pollution. Due to the current swift urbanization, mitigating the environmental footprint of architecture and building cities has become increasingly complex and requires urgent resolutions. Climate change, in return, exacerbates the challenges faced by the architectural and urban sectors due to rising temperatures that intensify the urban-heat-island effect, where dense built-up areas are significantly warmer than rural surroundings. Extreme weather events, such as floods and heat waves, put the resilience of architectural structures under test, highlighting the need for a sustainable and resilient design and planning. Conversely, architectural design and urban planning can positively influence the climate if they are conducted with a high assessment of their post-mortem environmental impact.
For instance, well-designed green spaces within architectural and urban fabrics may offer cooling effects and act as carbon sinks. Sustainable architectural practices can further mitigate the urban-heat-island effect and reduce the risks of flooding (Nowak et al., 2013).
Tackling the environmental impacts of the built environment requires a comprehensive approach that includes resilient and sustainable urban/territorial planning, innovative design strategies, and disruptive technological advancements. Global initiatives like the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) emphasize the importance of sustainable cities and communities, advocating for reducing carbon footprints through green architecture and infrastructure (UN, 2015). Green building certifications, such as LEED and BREE-AM, provide important frameworks for energy-efficient and sustainable architectural designs, leading to structures that considerably reduce their environmental impact. Technological advancements are crucial in developing a more sustainable architecture. Smart building systems optimize energy use based on occupancy and weather conditions, leading to substantial energy savings. Innovations such as green roofs and walls, integrated into architectural designs, provide insulation, reduce stormwater runoff, and enhance biodiversity mainly in urban areas. Using renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, in architectural designs is increasingly common, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering carbon emissions.
The School of Architecture, Planning, and Design at the University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P/SAP+D) is at the forefront of research and innovation in sustainable architecture and urbanism. Through a series of pioneering pilot projects and initiatives, UM6P/SAP+D is not only demonstrating the feasibility of sustainable architectural design and urban/territorial planning but also contributing valuable insights and practical examples of how sustainable planning and design principles can be pursued.
By Pr. Hassan RADOINE
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