2025 年 13 巻 2 号 p. 1-6
This special issue features a selection of papers presented at the "Science and Engineering Sustainability" session of the International Conference on Advancing Sustainable Future (ICASF 2023), organized by Abu Dhabi University in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
The issue includes five papers that explore sustainable approaches and case studies that span diverse geographical locations, including the UAE, Indonesia, Iran, and Malaysia.
Sustainable approaches to environmental challenges in building design, urban planning, and tourism are critical for addressing the global ecological crisis. In building design, green architecture has emerged as a key solution, focusing on energy efficiency, renewable materials, and waste reduction to minimize environmental impact (Kibert, 2016). For instance, buildings that utilize passive solar design and smart technologies can reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. In urban planning, sustainable cities are increasingly adopting integrated solutions such as green spaces, public transportation, and low-carbon infrastructure to improve resilience to climate change (Newman and Kenworthy, 2015). These efforts aim to enhance the quality of life while minimizing ecological footprints.
Tourism, too, faces significant environmental challenges, but sustainable tourism practices are becoming more widespread. By emphasizing eco-friendly housing, responsible consumption, and cultural preservation, the industry seeks to reduce its impact on fragile ecosystems and promote long-term benefits for local communities (Gössling, Hall et al., 2012). Strategies like ecotourism, which focuses on environmental education and conservation, exemplify how tourism can support both the environment and local economies. When applied holistically across building design, urban planning, and tourism, these sustainable approaches can foster a more harmonious relationship between development and the planet.
The topic of this special issue encompasses a multifaceted exploration of how sustainable practices can mitigate the adverse effects of urbanization and climate change across various sectors. Kaftangi, Meziani et al. (2025) highlight the UAE's commitment to retrofitting existing buildings to enhance energy efficiency and reduce consumption, which is crucial given the rapid urban growth and the significant energy demands of the region (Linnes, Agrusa et al., 2022). Meziani, Kaftangi et al. (2025) complement this by discussing the broader implications of energy-efficient designs, particularly in mixed-use developments, emphasizing the importance of vertical functional zoning in optimizing energy use (Jiang et al. (2022); Cao et al. (2022)). In a similar vein, Hasibuan, Asrofani et al. (2025) focus on the Jakarta Metropolitan Area, where the government promotes mixed-use housing in Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) zones to alleviate mobility inefficiencies and foster sustainable living (Nair and Thomas, 2013). Borghei, Niroumand et al. (2025) examine the energy-saving potential of green roofs and internal patios in educational buildings, reinforcing the idea that sustainable architectural elements can significantly reduce energy consumption (Peck et al. (1999); Santamouris et al. (2007)). Yusof, Ibrahim et al. (2025), emphasizes the role of eco-friendly tourism practices in enhancing environmental sustainability in Malaysian island tourism, highlighting the need for awareness and infrastructure to support responsible tourism behaviors (Kim et al. (2023)). Hereunder are the summaries of the five papers.
Kaftangi, Meziani et al. (2025) investigate the retrofitting of residential building envelopes in Abu Dhabi, focusing on enhancing energy efficiency in the context of rapid urbanization and climate change. According to a 2018 report by Arup Engineering Group, buildings contribute significantly to urbanization, accounting for approximately 40-50% of the construction industry's impact (AlNaqbi, AlAwadhi et al., 2012). The research emphasizes that retrofitting existing structures is an environmentally friendly strategy that not only extends the lifespan of buildings but also optimizes energy performance, thereby improving occupant comfort and productivity (Ahmed and Asif, 2021). The study highlights the importance of building envelopes, which serve as the primary barrier between the external environment and conditioned interior spaces. These envelopes play a crucial role in regulating indoor conditions and energy consumption, particularly in hot climates like the UAE. The paper reviews the current building stock in the UAE, noting that many structures built before 2001 lack adequate thermal resistance properties. Despite the potential for green strategies to reduce energy consumption significantly, the adoption of energy-efficient retrofitting has been slow. The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council has established building regulations aimed at improving energy efficiency, but many existing buildings were constructed with minimal consideration for these standards. The study aims to align retrofitting practices with greener energy optimization standards, as a significant portion of existing buildings is expected to remain in use by 2050. The research compares residential building codes from Abu Dhabi, Phoenix (Arizona), and Darwin (Australia), focusing on envelope components, materials, and air infiltration prevention. A retrofit review matrix was developed to assess various retrofit strategies. The study also includes energy simulation case studies of two buildings constructed in different eras (1977 and 1992), analysing factors such as wall-window ratios, window shades, glass properties, HVAC systems, and PV panel efficiency. The findings suggest that optimizing the thermal performance of building envelopes can lead to substantial energy savings and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Meziani, Kaftangi et al. (2025) explore strategies for retrofitting mixed-use buildings to achieve low to net-zero carbon emissions, in alignment with the World Green Building Council's initiative for zero carbon buildings by 2050. The research highlights the critical role of energy efficiency in the UAE, where buildings account for 70-80% of electricity consumption Fayyad and John (2017), and discusses the implementation of the Estidama Pearl Rating System to enhance building performance. The study investigates the impact of vertical zoning—how different functions (residential, commercial, etc.) are arranged across floors—on energy consumption and carbon emissions, emphasizing that traditional retrofitting approaches often overlook these complexities. By employing simulations and case studies, the research demonstrates that the order and height of functions significantly influence energy performance, advocating for tailored retrofit strategies that consider the unique operational characteristics of each function to optimize energy efficiency and contribute to the UAE's sustainability goals (Champ, 2022).
Hasibuan, Asrofani et al. (2025) examine the impact of commuter preferences on the development of mixed-use housing in Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) zones in Jakarta, where urban sprawl and reliance on private vehicles have led to significant congestion and sustainability challenges (Habibi and Asadi, 2011; Shen, Ochoa et al., 2011). The study highlights that mixed-use housing, which integrates residential, commercial, and service functions, can enhance mobility efficiency by 25-30% compared to single-use developments (Dittmar and Poticha, 2004; Fol and Gallez, 2014). Despite the government's focus on mixed-use housing in TOD zones, the absorption rate remains lower than that of non-TOD housing due to a mismatch between commuter needs and housing offerings (Kompas, 2023). The research identifies key factors influencing commuter preferences, including willingness to pay (WTP) and mobility characteristics, revealing that higher-income commuters are more inclined to accept higher rental prices for mixed-use housing. The findings underscore the necessity for developers and policymakers to align mixed-use housing developments with commuter preferences to enhance urban sustainability and address the backlog in housing provision within TOD areas.
Borghei, Niroumand et al. (2025) investigate the energy-saving potential of integrating green roofs and internal patios in a school building located in a cold climate in Iran. As urban populations are projected to rise significantly, leading to increased environmental challenges like urban heat islands and pollution, the study emphasizes the importance of sustainable architectural solutions like green roofs and patios, which can enhance thermal performance and reduce energy consumption (Peck, Callaghan et al., 1999; Santamouris, Pavlou et al., 2007). The research utilizes computer simulations via DesignBuilder to compare energy consumption scenarios with and without these green elements, revealing substantial energy savings: a decrease of 5%-23% in sensible cooling load and 29%-79% in heating load when green roofs and internal patios are employed (Bevilacqua, Bruno et al., 2020). Findings highlight the synergistic benefits of sustainable design strategies, advocating for their implementation in educational buildings to improve energy efficiency and occupant comfort while contributing to urban sustainability (Ascione, Bianco et al., 2013; Gagliano, Detommaso et al., 2015).
Yusof, Ibrahim et al. (2025) explore how tourist behavior influences eco-friendly practices in Malaysia's islands amidst growing environmental awareness (Linnes, Agrusa et al., 2022). It highlights that factors such as environmental awareness, social norms, and the availability of eco-friendly facilities significantly impact tourists' willingness to engage in sustainable practices (Cao, Qiu et al., 2022; Jiang, Gao et al., 2022). The study reveals that a youthful, educated, and diverse population on the islands is more likely to adopt sustainable behaviors. It finds that awareness, eco-friendly facilities, and knowledge are crucial for promoting environmental sustainability, with awareness being the most influential factor, while cost management and enforcement are less significant (Kim, Wang et al., 2023). Effective awareness campaigns and sustainable infrastructure are key to fostering responsible tourism, suggesting that a multi-faceted approach integrating awareness, facilities, and knowledge is essential for positioning Malaysia’s islands as leaders in sustainable tourism (Ibnou-Laaroussi, Rjoub et al., 2020; Mohd Salleh and Musa, 2019; Nair and Thomas, 2013; Ng, Chia et al., 2017).
The papers collectively emphasize the critical role of sustainable practices in addressing environmental challenges across various sectors, including building retrofitting, urban planning, and tourism. Together, they illustrate a comprehensive approach to sustainability, underscoring the interconnectedness of these domains.
We thank the reviewers for their hard work:
Dr. Sahar Sulaiman, Professor, Ajman University, email: s.sulaiman@ajman.ac.ae
Dr. Brian Pai, Professor, National Chengchi University, email: brianpai@nccu.edu.tw.
Dr. Emad Mushtaha, Professor, University of Sharjah, e-mail: emushtaha@sharjah.ac.ae
Dr. Adnan Husnein, Associate Professor, University of Tripoli, email: ad.husnein@uot.edu.ly
Dr. Mohamed ElAmrousi, Associate Professor, Abu Dhabi University, email: mohamed.amrousi@adu.ac.ae
Dr. Hayati Sari Hasibuan, Associate Professor, University of Indonesia, e-mail: hayati.hasibuan@ui.ac.id
Dr. Aseel Hussien, Associate Professor, University of Sharjah, e-mail: ahussien@sharjah.ac.ae
Dr. Paolo Caratelli, Associate Professor, Istituto Marangoni, e-mail: p.caratelli@istitutomarangoni.com
