Fay Abdulla Al Khalifa

Small island contexts face a distinctive combination of sustainability challenges, shaped by constrained land availability, resource dependence, and exposure to climate-related risks such as sea-le...

Cities in middle-income developing countries (MIDCs) (World Bank 2025) are growing faster than the infrastructure and public space that should support them (Elsey et al. 2019). Daily life in these ...

Energy efficiency and positive users’ experiences are key to sustainable healthcare. However, limited research has been conducted to examine the relationship between them. A framework-based systematic literature review using the PRISMA methodology was conducted to identify key links in existing literature between the two dimensions in hospitals. A total of 138 publications including articles, reviews, and conference papers were retrieved from the Scopus database on 23 March 2026. Selected studies were critically appraised for methodological quality and potential bias prior to the analysis and narrative synthesis using the TCCM framework. This review advances the field by reconceptualizing indoor environmental quality as the mediating link between energy efficiency and user experience in hospitals, offering an integrated multi-dimensional framework linking both dimensions. Key linking constructs were identified as spatial, environmental, psychological, behavioral, and organizational. Future pathways must integrate qualitative users’ experiences with quantitative energy efficiency data to enrich the understanding of hospital sustainability. Considering stakeholder priorities, conducting comprehensive evaluations of indoor environmental quality, and adopting holistic and interdisciplinary methodologies and simulations in hospital designs and retrofits are essential to address gaps in healthcare sustainability. Architectural measures must prioritize natural light, acoustic comfort, air quality, and access to views. The findings provide practical guidance for hospital designers, managers, and policymakers on strategies that promote healthcare sustainability through energy efficiency and positive user experiences.

The reliance on migrant workers in the GCC countries has led to various challenges, particularly regarding the living conditions of these workers in labour camps. These accommodations are often, overcrowded and lack essential amenities contributing to health and social issues among the occupants. This paper aims to explore the living conditions of low-income workers in Bahrain’s labour camps identifying challenges regarding their housing quality, access to services and social intergration. Applying a mixed methods approach in the form of surveys, interviews and case studies the paper explores ways to improve their livelihoods while promoting sustainable living. The study findings highlight issues such as inadequate ventilation, poor sanitation, and social isolation. The study proposes design interventions, including improved ventilation, better communal spaces, and sustainable housing solutions. The findings of the study contribute to the discourse on labour housing and offers insights to promote more inclusive, healthy, and sustainable living environments among low-income workers.

Purpose: This paper aims to develop an analytical Sustainability Building Assessment Tool (SBAT) for New Educational Building Designs (NEBDs) in Bahrain that is comprehensive, accounting for economic, environmental and social sustainability dimensions. Design/methodology/approach: Globally and locally recognized Sustainable Building Rating Systems (SBRSs) and the literature were reviewed, resulting in the identification of 21 critical indicators for assessing the sustainability of NEBDs in Bahrain. An online survey was conducted among the built environment practitioners and academics in Bahrain to investigate the local importance of the indicators. The Mean Score ranking (MS) and the Fuzzy Synthetic Evaluation (FSE) methods were used to analyze the 364 valid responses received. Findings: The SBAT was developed, encompassing three criteria: “Site and Transportation,” “Health and Wellbeing” and “Resources and Materials,” accounting for 33.1, 34.2 and 32.7%, respectively, of the sustainability attainment in NEBDs in Bahrain. Originality/value: The findings can be generalized to other countries with similar attributes and regional characteristics to Bahrain, such as those of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The novel SBAT developed in this study is simple and easy to use individually. The design team can apply it to assess and improve the sustainability of an NEBD during the design phase. Additionally, it can be used to provide a snapshot of the level of sustainability attainment in an NEBD or to rank several NEBDs with regard to their level of sustainability attainment by decision-makers.

Over the past decade, businesses worldwide have increasingly incorporated Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into their strategic frameworks, recognizing sustainability as a key driver of corporate responsibility and long‐term success. At the same time, Sustainability Assessment Tools (SATs), such as the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, have gained prominence in the built environment by encouraging environmentally responsible design and construction. Despite their widespread use, the extent to which SATs align with ESG performance remains an area of limited investigation. This study examines whether LEED certification scores can serve as reliable indicators of broader corporate ESG outcomes. Through an analysis of 20 companies, regression and distribution models were employed to assess the correlation between LEED ratings and ESG performance metrics. The results indicate that LEED scores have little to no predictive power in explaining variations in ESG scores, accounting for less than 1% of the observed variance. While LEED certification may contribute to environmental improvements, it does not comprehensively address the social and governance components that are fundamental to ESG evaluation. These findings contribute to ongoing discussions on the effectiveness of sustainability certifications in corporate reporting, strategic decision‐making and advancing sustainable urbanism. The study underscores the necessity of adopting more holistic frameworks that integrate multiple sustainability indicators, offering valuable insights for policymakers, business leaders, and stakeholders committed to advancing sustainable urban development.

Purpose: Despite growing interest in smart sustainable city models, empirical evidence on progress, public perceptions and major adoption obstacles remains sparse. This study aims to assess the readiness of the world’s largest urban agglomerations, including megacities and metacities, to transition towards smarter and more sustainable models, while also exploring the primary challenges and obstacles to this transformation.Design/methodology/approach: Drawing from pragmatism as a theoretical standpoint, a mixed methodology utilizing an online survey as an instrument of exploration was employed to investigate the perspectives of 400 residents of large urban centers globally regarding their city’s readiness to transition towards a smart sustainable city model.Findings: Participants prioritize sustainability over intelligence, focusing on quality of life, environmental benefits and resource efficiency in smart sustainable city initiatives. Key considerations include sustainable urban planning, resource management and smart buildings. Challenges persist in energy management, waste reduction, economic development and education. While policies support sustainability, gaps remain in education, political will, funding, collaboration and technology infrastructure. The study highlights a global trend towards smarter, more sustainable cities and a strong correlation between participants' prioritization of sustainability and their commitment to sustainable practices.Practical implications: By exploring residents’ viewpoints, priorities and aspirations, this research provides empirical evidence for decision-makers, urbanists and others involved in shaping future cities.Originality/value: This research contributes to urban studies by exploring the emerging trend towards smart sustainable cities, aligning with perspectives from futurists and urban theorists. Future research should focus on predictive analysis and enhancing collaboration across government, private sector and civil society to accelerate this transformative process.