Integrating Energy Efficiency, Sustainable Materials, and Eco-City Planning: A Holistic Approach to Green Building Design

As urbanisation accelerates as a global trend, the need for green building has never been more urgent. In this paper, these concepts are examined through the lens of energy efficiency, sustainable green building materials and eco-city planning, to outline a holistic approach to green building design. The use of energy efficient technologies within new buildings can reduce energy demand by up to 50%, such as the implementation of advanced HVAC systems and passive solar design. Not only does this provide cost savings for the building, but also reduces energy demand and subsequently reduces overall environmental impact. Sustainable green building materials such as recycled steel and cross-laminated timber can reduce the carbon footprint of the building significantly, by 30-40%. Additionally, eco-city planning, encompassing sustainable urban design, integrated water and waste management, and the resilience to climate change, utilises a broader lens to achieve city-level sustainability. Through case studies and quantitative analyses of such building projects, this paper demonstrates how these concepts can be utilised together and have synergistic effects. The use of these strategies together can contribute more significantly to built environments that are resilient and sustainable through the lens of energy savings for the residents, appropriate building technology, and consideration for the overall impact of the city as a whole.