Green living in urban spaces: How sustainable architecture is reshaping cities to create healthier and greener living spaces

Some of the most beautiful, aesthetic, and marvellous buildings, skyscrapers, monuments, tombs, temples, churches, and so many more establishments owe their creation to Architects! They are the genius minds and hands who bring together the most exquisite designs and shape the rural and urban skylines. And to honour their art and skill, every year on October 7, World Architecture Day is observed, and every year a new theme is set for architects around the globe.
In 2024, the theme set by the International Union of Architects (UIA) is 'Empowering the next generation to participate in urban design'.
Each year, the UIA selects a theme that focuses on issues that the world is currently facing and then implements the theme to move forward in a more holistic and sustainable way. The objective of the day and its theme is to raise awareness about the role of architecture in shaping lives, encouraging innovative and socially responsible design, and supporting environmentally conscious urban planning.
And so, on the occassion of World Architecture Day, we spoke to some leading architects to know their thoughts and ideas about green living in urban spaces and how architecture can help turn urban spaces from concrete jungles, to a more sustainable areas.
Here is what they said -
Across the globe, the rate of urbanisation is accelerating today. As our cities and towns become larger and denser, open, green spaces in urban areas are increasingly shrinking --from courtyards and balconies in single-family homes and offices to landscaped plazas and parks in neighbourhoods. A hypothesis put forward by noted American biologist Edward O. Wilson in 1984, states that humans possess an innate tendency to seek connections with nature and other forms of life, a phenomenon known as biophilia. Our physical health and mental well-being are impacted by the presence of natural elements, or the lack thereof, in our living and working environments—whether at home, in office, or schools.
According to Rahul Kadri, Partner & Principal Architect at IMK Architects, "The lack of such connections has been linked, in recent years, to adverse effects on our physiological and psychological well-being. Sick Building Syndrome (SBS), for instance, is a health condition that is scientifically proven to afflict people living or working in poorly designed buildings --buildings with inadequate natural light and ventilation. It is essential for architects and planners, therefore, to design buildings and neighbourhoods in a way that closely integrates them with nature.
Incorporating biophilic elements into the design of our urban spaces— through green spaces, landscapes, and sustainable architecture— does more than just beautify them. It offers a refuge from the concrete jungles that our cities are increasingly becoming and helps address our ecological responsibility. By putting green and blue spaces front and centre of our infrastructure investment, we also make our cities more resilient to crises, as they become more prevalent with climate change. We will finally be able to address that our cities are not just physically, but economically, socially and environmentally connected to their surrounding regions. By taking small, feasible steps in the short term, we can rebuild our social and economic fabric, and rebuild them for the better."
What is the primary focus of sustainable architecture is in urban planning
"A thoughtful approach to urban development is essential in creating healthier, greener living spaces. Sustainable architecture and design shape cities in important ways, like looking closely at settlement trends and taking action to fix environmental problems before building anything new. Prioritising green areas, especially protecting trees with deep roots, is a key part of this approach. Stabilising the land, stopping soil loss, and refilling groundwater are all long-term benefits for the ecosystem's health. For instance, in one of our projects, we faced the challenge of adhering to a century-long drainage plan to avoid overburdening the existing network. To address this, deep water storage tanks were integrated into the design for each townhouse parcel, demonstrating how forward-thinking planning can prevent future strain on infrastructure.
Another need in today’s sustainable urban development is immediate attention to disaster mitigation strategies. Sustainable architecture and design shape cities in important ways, like looking closely at settlement trends and taking action to fix environmental problems before building anything new. Prioritising green areas, especially protecting trees with deep roots, is a key part of this approach. Stabilising the land, stopping soil loss, and refilling groundwater are all long-term benefits for the ecosystem's health.
Disaster prevention methods are just as important for current sustainable urban growth. It's helpful to see how vernacular buildings have changed to fit different temperatures and landscapes. When we combine old techniques with new technology, we can make infrastructure that lasts and is good for the environment while also building urban places that honour the area's history. Modern imagination and traditional knowledge working together form the basis of green living. This allows for the creation of towns that are good for both people and the environment for many years to come." says Harsh Varshneya, Principal Architect, STHAPATI
Striking a balance between innovation and preservation
"In the face of rapid urbanisation, sustainable architecture has emerged as a cornerstone for healthier, greener cities. Design now transcends mere aesthetics and material choices, prioritising the creation of spaces that enhance livability and promote long-term environmental balance. Today’s architects are revisiting traditional principles while embracing innovation, focusing on how their designs can respect and integrate with the surrounding context and communities.
An important aspect is the contextual future-proofing of a project. When we build for tomorrow we must learn from the past and include those lessons in the present to build a better tomorrow. We often find what we are looking for is in the blueprints of the past. Many designers have also turned towards the use of local materials and passive cooling techniques with modern-day findings to create optimal design sensibilities. This hybrid approach creates mindful spaces that respect the site and its surroundings whilst catering to the ongoing challenges we face in and around the buildings we design. This respect for the surrounding ecosystem prioritises energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste reduction, all of which contribute to a more sustainable urban lifestyle.
Equally crucial is the emphasis on using local materials and sensibilities. Sustainable architecture recognises that a building’s context is profoundly linked to the knowledge and traditions of the people inhabiting its surroundings. By engaging with the locals, we can design spaces that bring out the individuality of the land it’s built on whilst considering the site’s environmental distinctions. This collaboration not only enhances architectural integrity but also promotes a sense of ownership and responsibility among its users, ensuring such sustainable and inclusive efforts benefit everybody and not just the users of our designs.
Ultimately, this approach cultivates urban environments that are functional and long-lasting. By upholding the site and its communities, we create spaces that resonate with its users, fostering a sense of belonging and responsibility. With this cities can grow sustainably, ensuring that the future generations receive vibrant, livable communities that honour both their heritage and ecological balance." says Jugal Mistri, Founder and Principal Architect, Jugal Mistri Architects
"Cities have paradoxically become both centers of social and ecological crises, while also serving as testing grounds for strategies to address these challenges. The future of building design and construction is undeniably green—our ability to meet global climate goals depends on it. Green buildings are more efficient than traditional buildings, having the potential to drive up revenues and lower operational costs.
Revisions to building codes and rating systems have raised tremendous awareness of the green agenda and have been instrumental in bringing up the minimum environmental standards of building design. Over the past two decades, performance of building envelopes—the amount of heat, light, noise, entering or leaving, its repercussion on energy consumption, the kind of insulation needed—have all become standard design elements that most of us are aware of.
Even at the planning level, some advancement has been made in formulating masterplans integrated into a regional framework—a trend that needs to be further encouraged and more broadly adopted. These masterplans take into account not just local needs but also regional, environmental, social, and economic factors, aiming for a more holistic approach to urban development. In contrast, land development by private developers often remains a speculative exercise based on short-term gains and rapid project turnovers. These ventures prioritize immediate profit over long-term planning, which could be detrimental in the long run.
At the urban level, more integrated developments that combine mixed-use functions—residential, commercial, and recreational spaces within the same area—have proven to be environmentally more successful by reducing the need for transportation, efficiently distributing infrastructure, and fostering more socially and culturally appropriate environments.
And lastly, integration of green spaces within the urbanscape has marked a significant shift in urban planning and development. An important aspect is the transition towards a non-anthropocentric understanding of natural reserves that recognizes the ecological importance of such zones and forces a new understanding of human-nature connections." says Sanjay Bhardwaj, Partner, team3
Delhi, the city of dreams for people from all over India, is constantly in news for rapid urbanisation, rampant use of unsustainable technologies, and an increasing blind eye towards ecological problems. But, some architects say that there still is some hope for the city and incorporating natural elements into the space isn't impossible!
As per Mitu Mathur, Director, GPM Architects and Planners said, " In major Indian cities like Delhi, the accelerating urbanisation rates have accentuated the need to incorporate eco-friendly and green living principles into our landscapes. Sustainable architectural design and planning are pivotal in transforming urban environments into healthier spaces. This shift towards sustainability addresses the challenges of rapid urbanisation, environmental degradation, and climate change while enhancing the quality of life for urban populations.
A fundamental principle of sustainable design involves integrating natural elements into building projects. Green pockets are no longer viewed as obstacles to development but as essential features that enrich the urban fabric. By preserving existing green spaces and incorporating them into architectural plans, we can enhance the city's overall livability. Green spaces that were once under threat of being overrun by the pressures of development are now recognised for their value in improving air quality, reducing urban heat islands, and forming natural oases within bustling urban centres.
Sustainable architecture drives cities toward energy efficiency with features like passive solar design, natural ventilation, and efficient insulation. Green roofs provide insulation and reduce the need for artificial heating and cooling while absorbing rainwater to prevent flooding. Additionally, urban farming practices allow residents to grow their food, creating a local, sustainable source of produce that reduces the need for transportation. These strategies reduce carbon footprints and lower utility and operational costs for inhabitants, making green living more accessible, financially viable, and self-sustaining.
However, green living also extends beyond building design to include sustainable transportation infrastructure encouraging walking, cycling, and public transport, significantly reducing carbon emissions and traffic congestion while improving air quality. By prioritising green spaces, energy efficiency, and sustainable transportation, sustainable architecture is transforming the way cities are designed and inhabited. Green living isn't merely a trend but the future of urban development, offering a path to resilient, eco-friendly cities."
Importance of greenery
"Amidst the growing urbanisation and concrete jungles, human lives are faced with challenges related to lack of fresh air, congestion and absence of green spaces. Sustainable architecture is emerging as an answer, reshaping urban environments into healthier and greener living spaces. Designing with eco-friendly principles and incorporating methods that can improve user well-being through green practices form the base of this innovative approach.
Vertical gardens, often making urban forests, are a popular method for enhancing air quality, cleansing the visual palette and improving overall aesthetics. These ingenious green walls transform the constrained spaces of an apartment building into a sustainable environment, where the walls invite butterflies and moths, increasing biodiversity.
Provisions for sky gardens where the user can create a mini ecosystem on their own are also gaining importance. Drip irrigation can be used to improve the quality of life of plants and ensure their life throughout the year. Climbing plants can lower heat on walls and sunny windows while planting deciduous trees around dwellings offers shade and natural cooling. Green roofs act as insulation, maintain thermal comfort inside urban homes, and lower the need for artificial cooling systems, decreasing the carbon footprint by saving electricity.
While incorporating water as an element to create a microclimate, one thing that the designers have to be mindful of is the deterioration of groundwater. Reusing and recycling water while investing in water conservation techniques like rainwater harvesting helps in replenishing our dying resources. Smart irrigation systems ensure optimum water usage and reuse grey water from sinks for gardens after filtration, which helps maintain the greenery, but without the fear of collapse of the water table.
Green architecture not only involves the use of greenery and natural elements but also includes the use of sustainable materials like recycled wood, bamboo or mud. Choosing to style interiors using organic fabrics or buildings using sustainable techniques like rammed earth can go a long way in helping residents mitigate the catastrophes of living in an urban environment, says Vineeta Singhania Sharma, Founder Partner & Principal Architect, Confluence
Can cities becoming nourishing ecosystems?
"Can cities become living ecosystems that nourish both people and the planet? With urban centres expanding rapidly, the environmental toll is evident. Indian cities are grappling with a rapid decline in air quality and public health, driven by relentless urbanisation and unchecked development. Unmitigated natural disasters like flooding and torrential rains have made these problems worse, with disastrous results for communities all over the nation. The answer is a paradigm shift toward sustainable architecture, which emphasises environmental care while improving livability.
Modern cities are embracing this shift through innovative design strategies aimed at minimising environmental impact. Incorporating passive building techniques like optimising natural light and ventilation, reduce energy consumption significantly. Consciously designing with eco-friendly materials such as recycled concrete and low-carbon alternatives make an impact in reducing carbon footprint.
The way that urban planners are integrating nature into cityscapes is drastically changing public areas. The proliferation of green roofs, vertical gardens, and urban farms mitigates the urban heat island effect, improves air quality, and enhances community well-being. Innovative stormwater management systems, such as bioswales and rain gardens, address the risks of flooding while filtering pollutants, demonstrating how sustainable design directly responds to the challenges posed by climate change and extreme weather events.
Moreover, cities are becoming role models for resource efficiency. Rainwater harvesting technologies fight water scarcity in highly populated areas, and solar panels and wind turbines are used to collect renewable energy.
As cities continue to grow, the move towards greener, smarter urban spaces is no longer optional but essential, as a necessary response to the climate crisis. Reimagining cities as ecosystems, enhances the quality of urban life and builds resilience for future generations." says Bedanta Saikia – Vertical Head, Corporate Architecture, Science & Technology, Edifice Consultants