Smart Technologies for Sustainability: From Data to Impact in the Built and Natural Environment—in Memory of Prof. Ibrahim Shaaban

Dear Colleagues,

Smart technologies, from non-destructive testing (NDT) and remote sensing to sensor networks, robotics, artificial intelligence and the digital tools that bring data to people, are now mature enough to be judged by what they change. The open question is no longer only whether we can detect a defect, map a subsurface or monitor a landscape, but how that evidence makes structures safer and longer-lived, infrastructure more resilient to a changing climate, cultural and natural heritage better protected, and decisions more transparent to the communities that depend on them. This Special Issue invites work that moves sensing towards this impact, from early-stage research on new methods, materials and data fusion with a clear path to application, to field deployments, decision support and public engagement.

This Special Issue is dedicated to the memory of Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Shaaban, Professor of Structural Engineering and Head of Civil Engineering at the University of West London (UWL). Over four decades in Egypt and the UK, he contributed to the strengthening, repair and durability of concrete structures, advanced composites and sustainable construction materials, as well as to engineering education as a dean, programme founder and research group leader. As an active member of The Faringdon Research Centre for Non-Destructive Testing and Remote Sensing, he always asked what a measurement meant for the safety and service life of a structure, and he was a generous mentor to young researchers.

This Special Issue, titled “Smart Technologies for Sustainability: From Data to Impact in the Built and Natural Environment—in Memory of Prof. Ibrahim Shaaban”, is open to researchers and practitioners worldwide and welcomes contributions on, but not limited to, the following topics:

• NDT, structural health monitoring and remote sensing of buildings, bridges, tunnels, pavements, railways and airfields;
• Assessment of concrete, masonry, steel and composite structures: durability, deterioration, strengthening, retrofitting and repair;
• Monitoring of sustainable and low-carbon construction materials and nature-based solutions;
• Earth observation and in situ sensing for climate-adaptive infrastructure and environmental resilience;
• Sensing for cultural and natural heritage, and for environmental and geohazard risk;
• Multi-sensor, multi-platform and multi-scale data fusion (e.g., GPR, ultrasonics, thermography, LiDAR, photogrammetry, InSAR, multispectral imaging);
• Smart and emerging technologies: IoT and wireless sensor networks, robotics and drones, self-sensing materials, artificial intelligence and digital twins;
• Immersive and interactive technologies (XR, web GIS) for communicating sensing data to stakeholders and communities;
• Evidence of impact: decision support, asset management, policy, cost and carbon benefits of sensing;
• Education, training and capacity building in NDT and remote sensing.

Original research articles, reviews, case studies and data descriptors are welcome from the whole international community; presentation at the Faringdon Symposium is not required. Authors who presented at FARSY 2026 are also welcome to submit substantially extended versions of their work. In addition to regular submissions, some review papers will be invited, and the Guest Editors will write an Editorial that presents the collected articles in light of the Special Issue focus and reflects on how they connect with, and carry forward, Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Shaaban's legacy and career contributions.

Thank you for your consideration.

Prof. Dr. Fabio Tosti
Dr. Saeed Parnow
Dr. Parisa Saadati
Dr. Francesco Soldovieri
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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