Smart Villages and Sustainable Rural Development is a comprehensive resource compiling existing and emerging knowledge for transforming rural areas into sustainable and resilient communities. The construction industry accounts for over 37% of greenhouse gas emissions globally. Moreover, rapid urbanisation, coupled with extending traditional construction practices to meet the needs of rural areas, risks further worsening current climate challenges. How can we satisfy this need for development, while not further damaging our environment?Departing from the conventional wisdom surrounding infrastructure planning and development that focuses on urban settings, the book consolidates a comprehensive suite of technical and non-technical resources, innovations and indicators that rationalise fit-for-purpose planning, development and operations of rural infrastructure. By doing so, it presents a fresh perspective on needs-based infrastructure provisions in a rural context.Drawing from global cross-sector practices and research-based evidence, the book argues for promoting location-specific infrastructure development, encompassing wider social, cultural and economic contexts unique to rural settings, across multiple perspectives. Dividing the chapters into four key sections, namely: Smart Villages, Sustainability and Development; Implementing Programmes and Strategies; Implementing Project-based Solutions; and Technological Systems, Policies and Governance in Smart Development, the book elaborates on how the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can be conceptualised for a context-specific implementation at the core of developing rural communities with necessary infrastructure provisions that are purpose-built, affordable, risk-averse and resilient.
