Abstract

This article provides a common ground for various concepts and developments regarding sustainable built environments by reviewing them through a design lens. The aim is to pave the way for future design developments, especially for developing and less developed countries. For a reliable research approach, first, the state-of-the-art on built environment sustainability is reviewed through the viewpoint of six experts in the domain. Secondly, the main concepts and developments regarding the sustainable built environment are framed and analyzed in the light of design research and the field of design for sustainability (DfS). The various sustainable built environment approaches are then chronologically ordered into four categories: responsible design, technologically emphasized design, user-oriented design, and design for positive impact. The article concludes that the focus of a sustainable built environment design has evolved from environmentally biased micro-level adjustments to human-oriented holistic approaches. Moreover, the aim of a sustainable built environment has matured from reducing environmental harm to creating a positive impact on the environment and societies, which has resulted in the emergence of two conceptions. One that assumes society is dependent on Nature and thus prioritizes improving natural systems through human collaboration. While the other considers environmental sustainability is dependent on social conditions and emphasizes improving social conditions through built environment design. Consequently, by placing the discussions on the prevailing building sustainability assessment systems and the various built environment design approaches such as positive and regenerative design into a single frame, the article not only contributes to the development of new knowledge but also clarifies the confusion caused by the growing body of knowledge in the field.