IEREK Press (E-Journals)
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Impact of Garden Greening on the Outdoor Thermal Environment of Buildings - a Case Study of Japanese Residential Houses
No full textGarden greening not only enhances the aesthetic value of residential buildings but also plays a critical role in improving microclimates and regulating the outdoor thermal environment. In Japan, incorporating garden greenery has become a prevalent feature of residential architecture. However, limited empirical research exists that systematically compares how different types of vegetation influence outdoor thermal conditions in Japanese residential gardens. This study addresses that gap by examining the impact of varying greening configurations on air temperature and relative humidity. Field measurements were conducted during both summer and winter in two traditional residential gardens located in Kitakyushu, southern Japan, using four monitoring points representing different greening structures. Results revealed that air temperature and relative humidity showed consistent patterns across seasons, with Measurement Point A (combining herbaceous plants, shrubs, and trees) yielding the lowest average temperature and highest humidity, while Point D (no greening) exhibited the highest temperature and lowest humidity. The findings confirm that vegetation type significantly affects the microclimate. Notably, while vegetation improves outdoor comfort in summer by reducing heat stress, it may worsen thermal comfort in winter by retaining humidity and lowering temperature. This study provides evidence-based insights into the dual seasonal effects of garden greening, offering valuable guidance for sustainable residential garden design in Japan’s urban context
Architectural Heritage and Universal Accessibility: Integrating Inclusive Design in Historic Buildings and Patrimonial Environments
No full textHistoric buildings and patrimonial environments often offer noteworthy challenges regarding accessibility for individuals with disabilities, predominantly for those using wheelchairs or with visual impairments. These sites, while rich in cultural and architectural value, commonly lack the essential accommodations to guarantee inclusivity for all users. The physical spaces of these environments are often incompatible with the needs of contemporary accessibility, creating barriers that prevent comprehensive participation by people with diverse abilities.
To preserve and enhance the cultural and historical implications of these buildings and monuments, it is decisive to approach renovation and restoration projects with a focus on universal accessibility. This process involves not only meeting up-to-date accessibility standards but also ensuring that the interventions respect and maintain the historical and architectural identities of these milieus. The fundamental question this article addresses is whether it is possible to reconcile the need for universal design with the preservation of the unique characteristics that define these historic sites.
Through an identification and analysis of universal accessibility requirements, and by presenting carefully chosen examples, this article aims to explore how historic buildings and patrimonial sites can be adapted to be universally accessible while keeping their architectural heritage and formal identity. The discussion highlights the chosen approach for incorporating accessibility within the framework of Historic Buildings and Patrimonial Environments.
The research constitutes a working agenda designed to identify the essential needs that cannot be disregarded or substituted for rehabilitating historic buildings and patrimonial sites and making them universally accessible. It also outlines the appropriate approach to the style of architectural interventions and the design of added architectural elements, based on the vision of the researcher
The Importance of Urban Greenery in the Construction of a Smart Landscape to Reduce Negative Environmental and Climate Impacts
No full textThe intense urbanization of the Municipality of São Paulo, SP, Brazil, highlights the high soil sealing, the reduction of open spaces, hinders stormwater runoff, and intensifies the process of Urban Heat Island. The objective of the work is to evaluate the importance of Urban Greenery analysis in order to contribute to a balanced system of permeable surfaces and urban afforestation, collaborating to a sustainable drainage system and cooling of the Urban Heat Island. Thus, the use of geo-technologies was used to obtain the maps of land use and occupation, Vegetation Index, and Land Surface Temperature and also statistics on the data and thus analyze the landscape in search of Nature-based Solutions. The analysis and implementation of Green Infrastructure in this research focuses on medium and large-sized street afforestation, and this must present harmony with all the city's infrastructure, collaborating with the environmental systems. The work can contribute to rethinking the green areas, with emphasis on Planting trees in cities to improve air quality, and reduce heat island effects, in order to build a smart landscape that aims to mitigate negative environmental and climate impacts, for the entire Municipality of São Paulo and thus meet the Nature-based Solutions
Assessment of Contributions of Informal Small Businesses to Environmental Pollution in the Rand-West City Local Municipality, South Africa
No full textEven though certain significant players in the economy's informal sector operate in an environmentally polluting manner, the informal sector plays a critical role in reducing poverty and creating jobs. Large companies' waste production and its impact on the environment have been the subject of much empirical study from both developed and developing nations. Nonetheless, there is a dearth of empirical data regarding South Africa's informal small businesses' waste output and environmental effects. The main objective of this study was to assess how the informal small enterprises in the Rand-West City Local Municipality of South Africa contributed to environmental degradation. A qualitative research methodology was applied, in which case semi-structured interviews were conducted with informal business owners while observation schedules were used to record evidence from the physical environment. A purposive sampling strategy was used to select 25 informal business owners whose businesses operated in the Rand-West City Municipality in South Africa. A thematic analysis was used to analyse empirical data collected through interviews and observation schedules. The findings of the study reveal that informal small businesses within the above-mentioned local municipality contributed to environmental contamination through the burning of waste or indirectly through littered plastics and boxes thrown away by customers. Another way through which some informal small businesses contribute to environmental contamination is through oil spillages during vehicle service and maintenance in open public spaces. The article concludes that to guarantee that the environmental design is conducive to reducing contamination or pollution, informal small businesses should be given suitable spaces for the purpose of diverse business operations. Apart from the support for informal businesses, the findings of this study imply that the Rand-West City Local Municipality will need to draft comprehensive policies and by-laws to regulate the activities of informal businesses in an attempt to minimise environmental degradation that may result from waste contamination
The Motivation of Generation Z to Adopt Sustainable Fashion Practices, Including the Purchase of Secondhand Items
No full textGeneration Z (Gen-Z) consumers are becoming increasingly aware of climate change and are adjusting their fashion consumption habits towards more sustainable practices, such as thrifting, renting, and swapping. Although these practices are less common in Egypt, recent trends indicate a growing acceptance among Egyptian Gen-Z consumers. This study aims to address the limited research on fashion collaborative consumption in the Egyptian market by exploring factors influencing the adoption of secondhand and rental fashion through in-depth interviews with 20 participants. Findings show that traditional practices like borrowing clothes are prevalent for cultural and economic reasons rather than sustainability alone. Despite interest driven by economic challenges and social media, barriers like inconvenience, high costs, and limited options hinder broader adoption. To facilitate growth, enhanced shopping experiences, improved accessibility, and shifts in social attitudes are necessary, alongside support from the government and brands. This research offers valuable insights for tailoring business strategies to different consumer segments to promote sustainable fashion practices
Art, Biophilia, and Environmental Engagement: Promoting Community Resilience and Pro-Environmental Behaviors
No full textThis article explores the relationship between art and emotional well-being through the project "Biophilia and Art: Jungles and Forests", a pictorial work made by Duván López. The research assesses how an art exhibition influences the levels of eco-anxiety and solastalgia, as well as the emotional resonance between the artist's creative state and the audience's experience. The proposal includes two modalities of participation: a virtual exhibition, which is accessed by 200 participants from all over the world (aged 14-74); and a face-to-face exhibition, in Catalonia, also with 200 participants (12-70 years old). The study measures the levels of echoanxiety and solastalgia before and after the visit (in both modalities) and evaluates changes in vocal prosody. In addition, initial and final photographs of the participants are incorporated for subsequent analysis with Artificial Intelligence, in order to record changes in facial expression and other non-verbal features. It is also planned to analyze the most repeated words and generate prosody maps that relate what is said (and what is omitted) with vocal and emotional patterns. Finally, participants are asked to make a drawing that represents their emotional and sensory experience. As well as choosing from 30 colored cards, which is the color that best represents your experience and why. The project seeks not only to improve the understanding of biophilia and its effect on emotional health, but also to promote a greater commitment to sustainability and the preservation of nature.
By combining these multimodal strategies, the project seeks not only to improve the understanding of biophilia and its effects on emotional health, but also to promote greater ecological empathy and commitment to sustainability. In doing so, it contributes directly to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), by demonstrating how art can mitigate eco-anxiety and foster psychological resilience; SDG 4 (Quality Education), by integrating innovative and participatory methodologies into cultural and educational contexts; SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), by supporting biophilic design as a strategy for healthier, more inclusive urban environments; and SDG 13 (Climate Action), by motivating participants to strengthen their connection with nature and engage in collective responses to environmental challenges. Beyond these contributions, the findings provide actionable insights for local and global socio-ecological policies, suggesting that biophilic art interventions can inform public health strategies, sustainability education, cultural programming, and climate adaptation efforts. In this sense, the findings suggest that biophilic art can act as a low-cost, scalable tool for environmental risk management and for strengthening collective resilience in the face of climate-related challenges
House of the Future: Designing a Net-Zero Energy Housing Archetype for Emirati Families
No full textThis paper documents the design of a concrete 3D-printed net-zero energy housing archetype in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The net-zero energy target was achieved by combining active and passive design strategies, such as cross-ventilation, improved thermal performance of the building envelope, exterior shading devices, and a geothermal cooling system. Meeting the requirements of Estidama's Pearl Rating System—particularly the thermal transmittance (U-values) for building envelope components—was a challenge due to the use of 3D-printed walls and prefabricated hollow-core slabs. To address this, a parametric analysis was conducted using LBNL Therm thermal performance modeling software to optimize the U-values of walls and roofs. A U-value of 0.22 W/m²·K was achieved, which is 30% more efficient than the minimum required by Estidama. Subsequently, whole-building energy simulations were performed using the Home Energy Efficient Design (HEED) software. The simulations show that implementing the active and passive design strategies yielded a minimum energy use intensity (EUI) of 87 kWh/m2. Yr, which was later supplemented by onsite solar energy generation to achieve the NetZero target. Performance evaluations demonstrate that compliance with local sustainability requirements, such as Estidama, and achieving the net-zero energy goal are possible, proving the feasibility of 3D-printed sustainable housing in the UAE. The findings of this research show that achieving net-zero energy in housing is possible in the UAE, even with 3D printing, and advocate for its wider adoption and implementation. The study results support the local and international pursuit to achieve environmental sustainability through achieving energy efficiency and transitioning to clean energy sources. The findings also align with and contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action)
Cultural Sustainability Tourism Knowledge and Skills: Lessons from the Amazon to the Mediterranean
No full textIncreasing global sustainability crises and climate change are impacting biodiversity loss. The terms ‘net-zero’, ‘green transition and ‘green skills’ are increasingly used, but many employees in the tourism sector do not know what this means, nor the relevance in their own roles. This exploration addresses an overlooked area of workplace learning, competencies development, for the people expected to drive the massive changes required in the tourism sector in Greece. The aim is a multidisciplinary, conceptual framework for knowledge and skills in sustainable tourism management, underpinned by theory in learning transfer and experiential learning, with pedagogy anchored in community-cultural insight, including beekeeping, for making sense of sustainable tourism development. Through an enquiry lens of Greek tourism, the methodology reviews academic and practitioner studies about sustainable tourism education and citizen-science models from The Amazon (Peru). Literature insights are explored through empirical study, targeted surveys and probing interviews. Qualitative data is analysed through discourse analysis coding. Findings suggest a ‘talk-act’ gap as many Greek tourism professionals do not know what green management competencies are but think they do, which can manifest in inadequate skills and inaction. Adaptation of citizen-science style learning and storytelling focused on bees and honey production, could play a ‘sensemaking anchoring’ role in developing sustainability management competencies in the Greek tourism sector, with the potential for adaptation for other countries
Cultural Tourism Management: Advanced Tools and Technologies
No full textIn today's world, technology plays a crucial role in almost every business sector, and its development strongly influences tourism. Considering that innovation is recognized as a key factor of competitive advantage in the global market, organizations are increasingly adopting new tools, techniques, and strategies that shape specific marketing activity programs. Artificial intelligence brings a range of possibilities for cultural tourism improvement, making visitor experiences richer, more educational, and tailored to individual preferences, while simultaneously aiding in more efficient destination management and the preservation of cultural heritage through digitization, restoration, and reconstruction of cultural monuments. On the other hand, the blockchain technology could offer numerous advantages in the field of cultural tourism, from enhanced security and transparency to process automation and the creation of innovative visitor experiences. The research of the paper is directed towards the application of digital platforms, data analysis, virtual reality, and other technological solutions with the aim of enhancing visitor experiences, preserving cultural heritage, and optimizing operational processes. The paper explores advanced tools and technologies as means to enhance the management of cultural tourism, focusing on a specific country such as Serbia or another European or global destination
Historic Preservation, Complexity, and the Shadow of Monumentality: The Case of Lutyens’ Delhi
No full textOver the years, the central administrative district of New Delhi, known colloquially as Lutyens’ Delhi, dominantly shaped under the authorship of Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker, has been repeatedly called upon to support a wider range of uses and a higher range of densities than it currently houses. In reaction to such calls, arguments of historic preservation and conservation have been recycled in defense of the built environmental status quo within the area. One of the more layered arguments given for such a manner of preservation is that presented by Buch (2003) which pulls from a wide breadth of perspectives, ranging from basic arguments of architectural legacy to those which extrapolate connections between the Vastu Purusha and the masterplan inherent to Lutyens’ Delhi. This paper is framed as an intrinsic case study into the argument of Buch (2003), offering a detailed cross-examination, and by extension refutation, of the various historical and ideological assertions found therein