AEC rating of world bank development indicators: initial insights into sustainable residential development in small island developing states

Purpose This study aims to examine how Architecture Engineering Construction (AEC) professionals prioritise World Bank Development Indicators (WDIs) in the context of sustainable residential development in Small Island Developing States (SIDS). SIDS face complex climate, economic and urban challenges, however understanding how built environment professionals interpret global indicators is unknown. This study explores that research gap for local housing needs. Understanding professional interpretation is essential for effective policy making and development. Design/methodology/approach A mixed methods approach incorporated survey responses from 31 AEC professionals. Participants ranked WDIs importance allowing for quantitative analysis of priorities and variations across professions, gender and location. Limitations include a small and regionally unbalanced sample, participants’ unfamiliarity with SIDS and complexity of the survey task. Findings Three key themes emerged from responses: 1. core priorities – environment, climate change, infrastructure and education rank highest, reflecting focus on climate resilience, community connections and stability. 2. sustainability perception variations – profession, gender and location influenced perception, revealing profession and demographic differences. 3. areas of disagreement – urban development, health, aid, science, technology and social development, showed significant variation, indicating contested priorities. Research limitations/implications The findings inform sustainability policy and housing strategies in SIDS, emphasising the need for interdisciplinary collaboration, localised sustainability frameworks and diverse data sets with digital monitoring technologies. Originality/value This study addresses the importance of WDIs among AEC professionals in relation to SIDS sustainable housing development. Findings can inform strategies in climate vulnerable regions. Future research should explore participatory data, cross referencing global sources with local and modelling tools for improved planning.