The Role of Green Buildings Practices in Achieving Sustainable Development

Abstract

This dissertation aims to investigate the role of Green Building Practices (GBP) in promoting sustainable development by examining their environmental, economic, and social impacts. A systematic review was performed in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) standards. Relevant literature was identified through a comprehensive search of academic databases, including ScienceDirect, Pub med, and Google Scholar, using predefined search terms related to GBP and sustainability. The screening process involved title and abstract reviews, followed by full-text analysis. Studies were included if they addressed GBP in the context of sustainability and reported on environmental, economic, or social outcomes. There were 25 studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Data extraction and qualitative synthesis were performed, and themes related to GBP's contributions and challenges were identified. The analysis revealed that GBP substantially contribute to reducing environmental footprints through energy efficiency, resource conservation, and reduced carbon emissions. Economically, GBP present challenges related to high initial costs and limited incentives, particularly in developing regions. Socially, GBP improve occupants' health and well-being but face barriers in achieving equitable distribution of benefits. Despite these challenges, GBP offer superior long-term environmental and economic performance compared to conventional building practices. GBP significantly contribute to sustainable development, but their widespread adoption requires overcoming economic and policy barriers. The study emphasizes the need for integrated approaches that balance environmental, economic, and social dimensions to achieve sustainable outcomes. Further research is recommended to explore adaptive strategies for enhancing the accessibility and effectiveness of GBP across diverse geographic and economic contexts.