Urban space and sustainable development

Face2Face Business Campus, Katowice, Poland. Systems in use: MB-118EI,MB-78EI,MB-86 SI,MB-86 US,MB-SR50N EFFECT,MB-SR50N EI EFFECT,MB-SR50N HI+,MB-SR50N IW,MB-SUNPROF

How does architecture affect the quality of life in cities? And in what ways does sustainable design shape urban growth and the way cities serve their residents?

The past few years have made it strikingly clear how strongly our surroundings affect our mental health. Research leaves no doubt. City dwellers are 20% more likely to suffer from depression and face a 21% higher risk of developing generalised anxiety disorders. The figures for psychosis are even more alarming: it is 77% more common among urban residents than among those in rural areas.

Despite these challenges, cities continue to attract people, and migration from rural areas to large urban centres shows no sign of slowing down. It is estimated that by 2050, 68% of the world’s population will live in cities. The question is: how can we make life in cities better? And what role do architecture and urban planning play in shaping more sustainable, people-friendly urban environments?

Building technology in the service of sustainable development

The core challenges of sustainable urban development lie in designing spaces that not only meet the needs of residents and businesses, but also reduce the strain on the environment, as environmental degradation reduces the quality of life and contributes to physical and mental health issues. This relief must be lasting, and it must consider future generations.

The main areas of action in sustainable urban architecture include:

• increasing the variety of buildings – in terms of both appearance and function (moving away from rigidly separated industrial, commercial and residential zones, which increase transport and commuting needs);
• developing and improving transport, with a strong emphasis on environmentally friendly solutions;
• revitalising degraded areas;
• improving the efficient management of energy and other resources (such as water);
• expanding the use of environmentally friendly technologies that support the circular economy (such as timber, aluminium and glass).

“As a leading manufacturer of aluminium façades, we are closely involved in tackling the challenges of sustainable urban development,” explains Ralph van der Kooij, Sales Manager at Aluprof Nederland BV. “Our aluminium façade systems are used not only in buildings that achieve BREEAM Excellent and Outstanding certifications - clear proof of sustainable design - but also in numerous projects focused on the revitalisation of former industrial and factory sites. We see how crucial it is to view a building as a whole, across its entire lifecycle: from construction, through years of use, to the point when it requires renovation, a change of function or even deconstruction. Only by using technologies that allow materials to be continuously processed can the principles of sustainable development be achieved,” he adds.

Merchant Square, Belfast, UK. Revitalisation. Systems in use: MB-SE75, BREEAM EXCELLENT certification

One such building material is aluminium. It can be recycled endlessly without any loss of quality, while reducing energy use by as much as 95%.ⁱ

“The same applies to glass. It can also be recycled multiple times. While the energy savings are not as great as with aluminium, recycling glass still helps reduce waste and enables reuse, for example, as aggregate. Our commitment to advancing sustainable construction was one of the reasons behind the creation of our brand, Glassprof, a producer of fire-resistant glass,” explains Ralph van der Kooij.

Norblin Factory, Warsaw, Poland. Revitalisation. Systems in use: MB-SR50N HI+

Sustainable urban development: the social aspect

While technology plays an important role, social factors also have a major impact on the quality of life in cities. Issues such as physical and psychological segregation in neighbourhoods affected by poverty and higher levels of violence often diminish the quality of life in cities. Feelings of injustice, hopelessness, discrimination and prejudice all contribute to worsening mental health (and social) problems.

That is why sustainable development in architecture must also address the social dimension. It means designing entire districts in ways that encourage social inclusion, giving disadvantaged groups the opportunity to live in welcoming, clean and comfortable surroundings. Shared spaces, green areas and community hubs that encourage neighbours to spend time together play a central role in such architecture.

In every type of building, whether residential, office or public, the social side of sustainability also means ensuring accessibility for all. This includes not only people with physical disabilities but also those who are neurodivergent, with specific needs such as better acoustics, spatial sequencing, safe zones or quiet spaces.

These goals can be achieved by applying modern technological solutions, including acoustic insulation systems (such as aluminium fire-resistant doors and partitions in the MB-78EI system, aluminium internal walls in the MB-80 Office system) or partition walls designed to guide movement and organise space.

Wadham College, Oxford, UK. Systems in use: MB-SR50N Curtain Wall, MB-SR50N, MB-86 ST

Greenery in the city: beyond parks

AI will play an increasingly important role in shaping the sustainable cities of the future, helping architects and engineers optimise the use of greenery in urban design. By analysing data on current and future climate conditions, AI enables the selection of plant species more effectively based on their adaptability and water or light requirements, as well as to simulate their impact on air quality and even residents’ well-being. 

In a sustainable city, green spaces are not limited to parks or pocket gardens. They also include vertical gardens and green roofs. One example is a building featuring aluminium façades in the MB-SR50N HI+ system with advanced thermal insulation, featuring a vertical garden 15 metres high. The living wall of the Posejdon office building covers 150 m2, with 6,500 plants. It’s a wonderful example of how additional space can be used to support ecology and improve air quality,” explains Michiel van Duren, Managing Director at Aluprof Nederland BV. 

Posejdon, Szczecin, Poland. Systems in use: MB-60E EI, MB-78EI, MB-86 SI, MB-SR50N HI+, MB-SR50N OW

Let’s build a better future

Sustainable construction is not a passing fad or a temporary trend. Both climate change and the pandemic have made it clear how profoundly architecture influences the quality of urban life, and how much our everyday well-being depends on where and how we live and work. By choosing the right building technologies and designing in line with the principles of sustainable development, we can actively improve the everyday lives of us all.

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ⁱ  compared to primary aluminium production.