This is a news item from UCL's Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering
As the urgency to reach net zero intensifies, so does the need to design environments that also protect and improve public health. Addressing challenges such as overheating, air quality and energy performance is vital to create healthier, low-carbon environments.
The new book ‘Shaping the Sustainable Built Environment in a Changing Climate’ celebrates the legacy of the past 60 years along with important research, and real-world case studies on how to tackle the threats to public health caused by climate change.
The book was launched at IEDE’s 60th anniversary symposium on 8 October where experts from academia, policy and industry explored how climate action can also improve health. The three themed sessions on homes, schools and cities reflected the book’s central themes, showing how design solutions can address issues such as overheating, air quality and energy performance.
Explore the three sections of the book:
History: tracing the evolution of environmental design and engineering at The Bartlett, from our early focus on building performance to its current role in shaping healthier, low-carbon environments.
Teaching: outlining our teaching portfolio and innovative approaches to learning that prepare the next generation to address the climate and health challenges of the built environment.
Eight research themes: eight chapters showcasing our current research and collaborations. Each explores a key area of impact, from indoor environmental quality and building retrofit to digital design methods, urban soundscapes and climate resilience. The chapters also share insights from expert workshops and set out future research directions.
‘Shaping the Sustainable Built Environment in a Changing Climate’ is an essential read for researchers, practitioners and policymakers seeking to understand how climate action can also promote healthier lives. By combining evidence, case studies and future priorities, the book defines IEDE’s vision for a sustainable, health-focused built environment and sets the agenda for what comes next. It is also a valuable resource for prospective students or anyone wishing to learn more about IEDE and our approach to research, teaching and real-world impact.