Architectural Design and Sustainable Urban Planning

Dear Colleagues,

The symbiotic relation between architecture and urban planning can be traced to the Neolithic Revolution. Urban planning is the framework within which architecture initiatives are realized; in turn, these initiatives are regulated by planning policies and decisions. The current built-up heritage, including remaining landscape and rural areas, is a legacy of sustainable development in history. Over two millennia ago, Vitruvius addressed the impacts of human health arising from built surroundings.

Over the past half-century, awareness has grown about how architectural design and urban planning affect the natural, cultural, and socio-economic environment. A central notion underlying the pragmatic philosophy that seeks to limit—and ideally neutralize—such impacts is sustainability. This Special Issue focuses on the role of architectural design and urban planning in sustainability. The aim is to address the art and science of architecture and urban design holistically. Enhanced design solutions considering energy efficiency, resource management, water conservation, and other parameters—whether in new constructions or retrofitted buildings—serve as key strategies for achieving sustainable architectural design. Furthermore, the overall layout and density of buildings impact the urban socio-economic and physical infrastructure. Social equity—understood as inclusive, accessible services and resources for all—is crucial for open spaces to meet the needs of diverse publics. This also extends to transportation systems that reduce dependence on private vehicles by providing efficient public transit and promoting healthier modes of commuting, such as cycling or walking through pedestrian-friendly zones. Given that urbanization transforms land-use patterns, systematic resource management that optimizes natural resources and minimizes anthropogenic waste is essential to ensuring an integrated approach capable of securing a resilient future for our cities. Thus, strategies for development of human settlements that are resilient to flooding and other natural-occurring geographic phenomena—including the adoption of nature-based solutions—are appreciated. Urban planning and architecture have the potential to address, under a multidisciplinary framework, different economic, social, and environmental issues contributing to their integration. This integration is, according to the original view of Gro Harlem Brundtland, at the core of the sustainability concept, and contributes to the welfare of citizens in a world becoming each day more urban.

This Special Issue aims to address urban science theory mainly from the theory and practice of architecture and city planning with reference to sustainability. We invite architects, urban designers, city planners, city managers, and urban geographers to think laterally about these themes and provide insights and illustrations on how they can be addressed.

Original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

• History and theory of architecture and urban planning.
• Architecture and Urban design methodologies.
• Sustainable architectural design.
• Sustainable urban design.
• Designing humane architecture.
• Energy-efficient architectural design.
• Participatory design in architecture and urban planning.
• Opportunities and challenges for architecture in urban conservation areas.
• Cultural landscapes and heritage-led regeneration.
• Designing creative urban spaces and urban places.
• Designing resilient cities for the future.
• Urban mobility and sustainable transport infrastructure.
• Design for vulnerable areas; water management for floods and/or mudslides.
• Social justice and spatial organization in urban areas.
• Integration of economy, society, and environment in design.
• Climate-responsive urban design.
• Green infrastructure and nature-based solutions.
• Urban health and well-being.
• Urban governance and policy innovation.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Lino Bianco
Prof. Dr. Alexandru-Ionuţ Petrişor
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Urban Science is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• design studies
• design theory, methodology, and management
• adaptive reuse
• creative spaces
• social, economic, and environmental sustainability
• urban studies
• urban design
• urban infrastructure
• resilient cities
• walkable cities
• resource management
• energy efficiency
• resilient infrastructure
• spatial justice