The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) has announced a call for case studies to spotlight sustainable and resilient building designs in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region. With the expansion of built-up areas in the region outpacing population growth and a marked 75% increase in urbanization between 2000 and 2020, ICIMOD aims to promote building practices that are both environmentally conscious and disaster-resilient.
The Environmental Challenge of Modern Construction
Modern construction materials like cement, steel, iron, and aluminium, while dominant in the region, are characterized by high carbon footprints and increased energy costs. These materials often overshadow the environmental benefits of traditional methods that utilize locally available, sustainable materials. The shift to energy-intensive modern construction methods has raised concerns about the long-term ecological and financial costs.
A Vision for Sustainable Development
ICIMOD seeks to challenge this trajectory by identifying and promoting building designs that:
Are climate and disaster-resilient
Utilize nature-based building materials
Integrate traditional and modern construction methods
Incorporate passive and energy-efficient designs
This initiative will collect knowledge from diverse stakeholders, including architects, researchers, Indigenous communities, and professionals from public and private sectors, to document best practices in sustainable infrastructure.
Showcasing Innovation
Selected case studies will be featured in an ICIMOD report, with authors invited to a regional event in Kathmandu. This event will serve as a platform to present innovations in sustainable infrastructure. Additionally, the findings will be adapted into e-learning resources to encourage broader adoption of green building practices across the region.
Submission Details
The submission deadline is 8 August 2025, Nepal Standard Time (UTC+05:45). Interested contributors can apply via ICIMOD's dedicated submission platform.
For more details, visit ICIMOD's official announcement page.
This initiative underscores the urgency of adopting sustainable building practices in a region that faces escalating climate and environmental challenges. By blending tradition and innovation, ICIMOD hopes to pave the way for resilient urban development.
