Title: Creative transdisciplinary architectural design as means for realising the sustainable development goals in the built environment

Authors: Rana Geith; Sherif Goubran

Addresses: Department of Architecture, School of Sciences and Engineering, The American University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt ' Department of Architecture, School of Sciences and Engineering, The American University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract: Attaining the sustainable development goals (SDGs) requires solutions synthesising multidisciplinary knowledge. We argue that architecture embraces the creative transdisciplinary required to address sustainable development challenges in the built environment. The paper proposes a framework that builds on how architecture, as a practice, encompasses a series of design-thinking domains with open possibilities, potential, and power for innovation. This framework comprises nine design domains: building technology, building materials, building construction, building management systems, indoor climate, recycling advancements, spatial planning, urban planning, and strategic planning. The framework is used to analyse case studies and to highlight how creative transdisciplinarity, integrated through architectural design, advances the realisation of global goals. The findings emphasise the often synergistic and innovative nature of the architecture solutions that link to multiple design domains with the SDGs. The paper concludes with a matrix that shows the interlinkages between the design domains and the SDGs, revealing a complex array of connections and overlaps.

Keywords: transdisciplinarity; sustainable development goals; SDGs; sustainability; built environment; architecture; design domains.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2024.138799

International Journal of Technology Management, 2024 Vol.95 No.3/4, pp.361 - 387

Received: 30 May 2022
Accepted: 16 Jan 2023
Published online: 31 May 2024 *

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