Journal of Interior Designing and Regional Planning

Urban Heat Island Effect and Sustainable Pavement Materials

2026-06-10T12:10:47+00:00

The urban environment witnesses a high urban heat island (UHI) impact where temperatures rise substantially compared to those in the rural surroundings. Such conditions negatively affect outdoor thermal comfort as well as building cooling energy demands. In this regard, pavement systems, such as asphalt, cover 40 percent of an urban area and have a low albedo value along with high thermal mass. Cooling strategies like the use of cool pavements can effectively decrease heat fluxes and lower the temperatures of surfaces. However, the inclusion of green spaces including trees is vital to increase their efficiency. The objectives of this paper are: (i) to explore the materials currently used for pavement construction; (ii) to examine the contribution of these resources to the UHI Effect; and (iii) to investigate materials and strategies that can mitigate the UHI effect. Findings indicate that reflective pavement technologies — often termed “cool pavements” — play a crucial role by maintaining cooler surface temperatures, generating lower ambient air temperatures, reducing air conditioning demand, and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. Polymer-matrix solar reflective coatings (epoxy and acrylic) and Phase-Change Materials (PCMs) represent the most promising active-cooling technologies for next-generation urban pavements.

Comparative Cost Analysis and Planning of Residential Building with the Same Plot Size (1250 sq.ft.)

2026-06-08T10:28:10+00:00

Urban housing development requires proper financial planning and cost control to ensure affordability, sustainability, and efficient utilization of limited land resources. In rapidly developing urban regions, residential construction on small plots such as 1250 sq. ft. requires optimized planning approaches that balance comfort, functionality, and economy. Cost estimation plays a major role in determining the feasibility of residential projects before construction begins. This research presents comparative cost estimation and planning analysis of two residential building options proposed for the same 1,250 sq. ft. site. plot. Option A represents a Premium Residential Building with high-standard planning, larger room dimensions, premium finishes, and enhanced service provisions. Option B represents an Economical Residential Building designed with compact room layouts, essential facilities, and cost-effective construction techniques. The study includes quantity take-off, rate analysis, Bill of Quantities (BOQ), cost distribution analysis, and comparative financial evaluation using prevailing market rates of 2025 and CPWD Schedule of Rates 2024–25. Detailed estimation reveals that the total construction cost of Option A is ₹39,60,000, whereas Option B costs ₹25,74,000. The overall cost difference between the two alternatives is ₹13.86 Lakhs. The results demonstrate that efficient planning, optimized built-up area, economical finishes, and proper structural design can substantially reduce overall construction cost while maintaining structural safety and functional efficiency. This study provides valuable insights for homeowners, engineers, planners, and middle-income families in selecting the most economically feasible residential solution.

Reinterpreting Khona’s Maxim for Healthy Building Design: An Airflow-Oriented Perspective on Indoor Environmental Quality, Disease Resilience, and Sustainable Architecture

2026-06-09T09:08:09+00:00

Traditional ecological knowledge systems often encode sophisticated environmental insights that resonate with contemporary scientific understanding. One such example is Khona’s maxim, a traditional South Asian guideline emphasizing the importance of unobstructed airflow within built environments. In an era increasingly defined by concerns over indoor air quality (IAQ), airborne disease transmission, and sustainable building practices, revisiting such principles offers valuable interdisciplinary insights. This paper provides a conceptual reinterpretation of Khona’s maxim through the lens of modern building science, environmental engineering, and public health. Drawing on literature related to ventilation, airflow dynamics, and infection control, the study examines how airflow-oriented design enhances indoor environmental quality and contributes to disease resilience. The findings suggest that Khona’s maxim aligns closely with contemporary principles of passive design and ventilation-driven health strategies. The study highlights the importance of integrating indigenous knowledge with scientific frameworks to advance sustainable and healthy built environments.

Imambaras as Sacred-Memory Landscapes in Bengal: Architecture, Patronage, Ritual, and the Political Economy of Muharram

2026-02-26T08:28:26+00:00

This article examines Bengali imambaras as sacred-memory landscapes—architectural infrastructures that materialise Shi‘i collective remembrance through ritual, patronage, and governance. While scholarship on South Asian Shi‘ism has focused heavily on Awadh, eastern India remains understudied despite its dense network of devotional architecture. Drawing on memory theory and material religion, the article argues that imambaras transform the narrative of Karbala into spatial practice, embedding sacred history within the everyday rhythms of Bengali civic and neighbourhood life. Through four comparative case studies—the Nizamat Imambara of Murshidabad, the Hooghly Imambara, the Metiabruz Imambara in Kolkata, and vernacular neighbourhood imambaras—the study traces how sacred memory is sustained across different socio-economic environments. Monumental dynastic patronage, mercantile philanthropy, exile architecture, and grassroots communal maintenance each redistribute the same mnemonic triad: ritual repetition, patronage inscription, and governance continuity. These sites demonstrate that the durability of sacred memory depends less on architectural grandeur than on relational systems that stabilise devotional time. By integrating architectural history with memory studies, the article reframes imambaras as living infrastructures rather than static heritage monuments. It contributes to broader debates about minority religious architecture, showing how spatial practices enable communities to preserve identity under conditions of political change, economic fluctuation, and demographic fragility.