Sustainability in Energy and Buildings 2021 (Smart Innovation, Systems and Technologies)

Chapter “A Multi-functional Design Approach to Deal with New Urban Challenges” is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.

Dr. John R Littlewood graduated in Building Surveying, holds a Ph.D. in Building Performance Assessment of Zero Heating Housing and is a Chartered Building Engineer. He is Head of the Sustainable and Resilient Built Environment Research group in Cardiff School of Art & Design and the Human Centred Design Global Academy, at Cardiff Metropolitan University (UK). He coordinates three Professional Doctorates in Art & Design, Engineering and Sustainable Built Environment, and has supervised and examined to completion 11 and 18 doctorates. John’s research is industry focused, investigating methods to optimise the fire, production, and thermal performance for existing and new dwellings during the design, manufacture, construction, operation or during and after retrofit stages. John’s current research includes working with Wales’ largest offsite manufacturer of timber frame construction systems, to increase the use of natural materials and recycling to embrace the circular economy. The outcomes of John’s research enhance occupant quality of life and increase the environmental sustainability and resilience of the built environment. He has authored, co-authored and co-edited 155 academic peer-reviewed publications, and supported the SEB international conference series since 2010. 

Dr. Robert Howlett is Executive Chair of KES International, a non-profit organization that facilitates knowledge transfer and the dissemination of research results in areas including intelligent systems, sustainability, and knowledge transfer.  He is Visiting Professor at Bournemouth University in the UK. His technical expertise is in the use of intelligent systems to solve industrial problems. He has been successful in applying artificial intelligence, machine learning, and related technologies to sustainability and renewable energy systems; condition monitoring, diagnostic tools and systems; and automotive electronics and engine management systems.  His current research work is focussed on the use of smart microgrids to achieve reduced energy costs and lower carbon emissions in areas such as housing and protected horticulture. 

Dr. Lakhmi C. Jain, PhD, ME, BE(Hons), Fellow (Engineers Australia) was with the University of Technology Sydney, Australia, and presently serving the Liverpool Hope University, UK. Professor Jain founded the KES International for providing a professional community the opportunities for publications, knowledge exchange, cooperation and teaming. Involving around 5,000 researchers drawn from universities and companies world-wide, KES facilitates international cooperation and generate synergy in teaching and research. KES regularly provides networking opportunities for professional community through one of the largest conferences of its kind in the area of KES