Community- and Urban-Scale Sustainable Practices in the Built Environment

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue of Urban Science focuses on the exploration and implementation of sustainable practices within the built environment at the community and urban scales. It aims to highlight innovative strategies, methodologies, examples, and best practices that promote sustainability in urban settings, addressing environmental, social, and governance dimensions as directed by the Sustainable Development Goals.

The scope of this Special Issue encompasses a wide range of topics related to community and urban sustainability in the built environment. This includes case studies, theoretical frameworks, and practical applications of sustainable practices in urban planning, architecture, alignment with user needs and requirements, and community development. Key areas of interest include, but are not limited to, renewable energy integration, green building materials, waste management, water conservation, user indoor microclimate, comfort, health and well-being, and the enhancement of urban green spaces. The Special Issue will also examine the role of community engagement and participatory planning in achieving sustainable urban environments and communities.

The primary purpose of this Special Issue is to provide a comprehensive overview of current advancements and challenges in urban-scale sustainable practices. It aims to foster a deeper understanding of how these practices can be effectively implemented to create resilient, liveable, and environmentally friendly urban spaces. By disseminating cutting-edge research and insights, the Special Issue seeks to inspire practitioners (e.g., architects, engineers, and designers) and policymakers (e.g., urban planners and community leaders) to adopt and promote sustainable practices in their respective fields and jurisdictions.

This Special Issue will supplement the existing literature by addressing gaps and expanding on current knowledge across several key areas:

• Integration of Sustainable Practices: While there is substantial research on sustainable building practices, this Special Issue will focus on the integration of these practices at the community and urban scales. It will explore how sustainable strategies can be synchronised across different sectors and scales to create cohesive and resilient urban environments.
• Social Engagement: The existing literature often emphasises the technical aspects of sustainability but may overlook the importance of community involvement and social impact. This Special Issue will highlight the role of participatory planning, community engagement, and user requirements in achieving sustainable urban development, providing insights into effective methods for involving residents in sustainability initiatives.
• Innovative Case Studies: By presenting case studies from diverse urban contexts, this Special Issue will offer practical examples of successful sustainable practices. These case studies will serve as valuable references for researchers and practitioners looking to implement similar strategies in their own communities.
• Multidisciplinary Approaches: The Special Issue will draw on insights from various disciplines, including the construction of built environments, urban planning, environmental science, sociology, and public health. This multidisciplinary perspective will enrich the existing body of knowledge and promote a holistic understanding of urban sustainability.

Overall, this Special Issue aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice, offering actionable insights and fostering collaboration among stakeholders to advance sustainable urban development.

Dr. Noha Saleeb
Guest Editor

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.