Eco-friendly, Digital, and Intelligent Future Environments

Introduction 

This special issue aims to explore how sustainability, digitalisation, and intelligent technologies can collectively transform the design, construction, and management of future built environments. As cities and infrastructure systems face increasing pressures from climate change, resource scarcity, rapid urbanisation, and technological disruption, there is a growing need for innovative approaches that integrate eco-friendly practices with digital and intelligent solutions.

This special issue will make a timely contribution by bringing together interdisciplinary research at the intersection of sustainability, digital transformation, and intelligent systems in the built environment. While existing studies often address these themes separately, this issue will highlight the integration of the themes (eco-friendly practices, digital technologies e.g., BIM, digital twins, AI, and intelligent decision-support systems) to shape future environments.
The issue brings together cutting-edge research that examines the role of digital tools, data-driven decision-making, artificial intelligence, smart systems, and sustainable construction practices in shaping future environments. Contributions will be encouraged from interdisciplinary perspectives across architecture, engineering, construction, urban planning, and environmental management.

The issue invites high-quality theoretical, methodological, and empirical studies that demonstrate how eco-friendly design principles, digital transformation, and intelligent systems can enhance environmental performance, improve resource efficiency, support climate resilience, and promote sustainable urban development. The special issue will also highlight practical applications, case studies, and innovative frameworks that contribute to the development of future-ready, sustainable, and intelligent built environments.
Extended submissions will be invited from selected contributors to the International Conference on Green + Digital + Intelligent Built Environments (GDI 2025), with all manuscripts undergoing full independent peer review in accordance with journal policy.

List of topic areas

1. Integration of BIM, AI, and digital twins for smarter built environments.
2. Low-carbon construction materials and circular economy approaches for sustainable buildings.
3. Smart technologies supporting climate resilience and adaptive urban infrastructure systems.
4. Digital platforms enhancing collaboration and knowledge sharing among built environment stakeholders.
5. Policy and governance frameworks enabling sustainable and digital transformation in construction.

Submissions Information

Submissions are made using ScholarOne Manuscripts. Registration and access are available at: https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/uss

Author guidelines must be strictly followed. Please see: https://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/journal/uss

Authors should select (from the drop-down menu) the special issue title at the appropriate step in the submission process, i.e. in response to “Please select the issue you are submitting to”.

Submitted articles must not have been previously published, nor should they be under consideration for publication anywhere else while under review for this journal.

Key deadlines

Opening date for manuscripts submissions: 21st April 2026

Closing date for manuscripts submission: 30th October 2026