Ecologically sustainable design (ESD): theories, implementations and challenges towards intelligent building design development

Today, due to the penetration of modernization based upon advanced technologies within developed cities, intelligent buildings are rapidly growing within urban areas. Accordingly, smart housing as a major constituent of intelligent buildings is deemed to have become the prominent choice of the new generation of inhabitants rather than conventional housing. According to the negative effects of global warming and the lack of natural resources, it is theorized that the application of ecologically sustainable design (ESD) in smart housing could develop greener sustainable built environments while reducing energy wastage to the minimum level. Therefore, the fundamental role of modern housing development with regard to creating better housing opportunities for future communities must be intertwined with this theory. However, it is argued that integration of ecologically sustainable features into the design of modern hosing is neglected in many cases. In view of this fact, with respect to the prominent role of intelligent buildings towards sustainability, the study draws attention to the concept of incorporating intelligent building systems and ESD principles in order to reduce the environmental damages while enhancing the ecosystem services. Accordingly, the study aims to elucidate the significant task of ESD for sustainable developments based on theories, implementations and challenges.