Productive Building Systems in the residential sector in Egypt : an investigation into the implementation potential of greening and solar energy systems in new cities

Abstract

Globally, human actions are driving irreversible environmental phenomena including climate change and global warming. The rapid expansion of urban areas and the resource-intensive building sectors have amplified the implications of these phenomena on urban populations at global and local levels. Therefore, a transformation was spurred towards the regenerative paradigm to offset the adverse impacts of current building practices and increase the positive impact of buildings on the natural environment. In line with the regenerative approach, this research focuses on Productive Building Systems (PBSs) - particularly greening and solar energy systems. PBSs could transform building envelopes into productive structures that grow vegetation, produce food, harvest solar energy, and compensate, even in part, for land and habitat replaced by buildings. In Egypt, despite the high productivity potential of PBSs, their implementation rates are lower than expected. To bridge this gap, the dissertation aims at conducting a multi-faceted investigation of the implementation potential of PBSs in the understudied context of new residential buildings in Egypt. Influenced by implementation science theories, three priority facets - technical, social, and behavioral - were investigated using a mixed-method approach to address several gaps in theory and practice. The findings were discussed under three corresponding topics (a) literature review and technical frameworks covering PBS types and implementation requirements, (b) social acceptance and implementation preferences among potential consumers, and (c) behavioral and socio-psychological factors influencing social acceptance. In the end, the dissertation provided a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of two main PBSs - greening and solar energy systems - in comparison, under the prevailing conditions in Egypt. It tailored concrete recommendations to support involved stakeholders in promoting PBSs implementation in Egypt and countries of comparable climatic and socio-economic conditions, to ultimately create more productive, livable, and resource-efficient built environments.