Biomimetic Architecture and Its Role in Developing Sustainable, Regenerative, and Livable Cities: Global Perspectives and Approaches in the Age of COVID-19

This book focuses on understanding biomimetic architecture and its role as a sustainable design tool. It presents the role of biomimicry in mitigation and adaptation to climate change and examines how biomimetic architecture can provide healthy solutions to limit the spread of COVID-19 in buildings and cities. Coverage includes global examples of biomimetic approaches and buildings, an evaluation of the performance of biomimicry applications in architecture to illustrate best practices, and an exploration of how nature can offer inspiration in building design to conserve resources and save energy use as well as curb carbon emissions - a reaffirmed goal of COP 26 and an outcome of Glasgow Climate Pact. Finally, the book presents guidelines to enhance urban areas and healthier spaces in buildings to meet COVID-19 social distance regulations and beyond. • Examines global applications of biomimicry in architecture;• Highlights the importance of biomimicry in driving livability in cities and buildings;• Explores the role of biomimetic architecture in mitigating climate change. "The line of argument developed is highly relevant to the present, in addition to being original and pertinent to research on urban regeneration, especially in regard to the exploration of the use of biomimicry architecture in response to changing urban demands.” -Alessandra Battisti, Ph.D., Professor of Architecture, University of Rome La Sapienza. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2022.

SUSTAINABLE RESTORATION: SURVEY AND ANALYSIS OF THE BARON EMPAIN PALACE, CAIRO, EGYPT

This study examines how the restoration of Baron Empain palace brings about a sustainable and cultural node. It aims to assess the sustainability of the restored palace in terms of environmental, social, economic, and cultural aspects. The methodology depends on two approaches: a review of the case study and survey based on site visits. The cultural impact was mapped on the social media using Data Scraping technique. Results show that social and cultural values are prioritized, and the youth present 71% of visitors/hr amidst COVID-19. The energy audit indicates that annual consumption of the ground, first and roof floors is 69.7, 34.7, 9.6 kWh/m2 respectively, hence, meets RIBA benchmark. For economic sustainability, 38 direct jobs, and 1400 indirect jobs were created. For cultural survey, it shows that the total word counts on Instagram and Twitter are 548 and 3168 respectively. The restoration highlights the significance of the transformation and attains SDGs 4, 7, 9, 11, 12, and 13. © 2021, Luciano Editore. All rights reserved.

Sustainability assessment of restored historic buildings: Case study of Baron Empain Palace in Heliopolis, Cairo, Egypt – Representation analysis of the building and site

The study examines the sustainability of a restored historical building – Baron Empain Palace in Heliopolis, Cairo in terms of its environmental, social, and economic aspects as well as cultural impacts. It assesses how the restoration of a deserted palace brings about a sustainable and cultural node, yet transforms the landscape use and sustains the district’s heritage. Two approaches were exploited to assess the historical building: the first approach is inductive (review of the case study before and after restoration, its impacts on livability);and second is a field approach based on site visits to collect data on the environmental and energy consumption (energy audit);social sustainability (visitors’ patterns);and economic sustainability (jobs opportunity). Results revealed that the social and cultural values prioritized and the youth represents 71% of the visitors/hr during COVID-19. The environmental and energy audit assessment shows that the restoration met RIBA’s energy efficiency benchmark (50kWh/m2 (good) and 70kWh/m2 (typical)). For the economic sustainability, tickets are affordable and the palace creates 38 jobs. The social media analysis indicates a high interaction. The restored palace is a unique example of adhering to the city’s cultural values. Finally, it shows the significance for historical palace transformation on the community.

Towards sustainable development: Mega project’s strategic environmental assessment to attain sdg 7, 9, 11, 12 & 13

Key challenges are facing local governments and cities to achieve sustainable development and mitigate climate change in the time of COVID-19. Applying sustainability principles to manage resources is considered essential indicators to attain SDGs. This paper presents strategic environmental assessment which is exploited, as a tool, to evaluate the impacts of a selected mega-project in Cairo, Egypt, on the city and land in regard to sustainability (environmental, economic, and social). The research aims at examining the sustainability principles of the mega project to achieve SDGs. The methodology depends on three approaches. The theoretical part includes a review of the project’s impacts;the analytical part examines the resources’ use based on data collection;and the applied part implements SEA indicators. Results show that the building and site can be categorized as environmentally-friendly and attaining SDG 7, 9, 11, 12, and 13;lowering land, building and city’s footprint;and socially viable. © 2020, Luciano Editore. All rights reserved.