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The aim of this research is to have a better understanding of the real meaning of "eco-lodges" in hot arid regions and from that maintain the local criteria that are generally and unfortunately applied on any building typology of any location. Secondly, we look at achieving sustainable development of the Siwa Oasis through developing a new efficient and green building assessment tool based on credible weightings. The assessment tool is produced from studying the local context features. Moreover, the assessment categories, items and their parameters will be indicated through an ethnographic approach in addition to multi-dimensional (qualitative and quantitative) studies. A questionnaire was applied to 40 participants, 50% of which are experts and the rest, stockholders, laymen and environmental architecture students (randomly selected and who should have studied at least three environmental courses). Finally, the outcome of the research is a suggested assessment tool for Siwan eco-lodges (Siwan Eco-lodge Rating System (SERS)) that suit the Egyptian Siwan environmental, social and economic perspective.

Universities are under more pressure than ever before to attract more students and move up in rankings. Due to bounded space and rising plot values in city areas, a spatial configuration that meets user needs has become a very important topic for well-prepared and spatially suitable educational settings. However, today there is a rapid pace in the establishment of universities in Egypt. Insufficient use of university campus outdoor spaces (UCOS) is considered one of the main negative impacts on social quality in these universities in Egypt. This study aims to evaluate the social qualities according to the Islamic spatial configurations of UCOS in The American University in Cairo (AUC). The research is based on using integrated observational and computational methods in different UCOS. Observational methods are applied through behavioral mapping and movement tracing. Computational methods are applied through space syntax software. The AUC campus is selected as a case study because its design is based on different types of UCOS. The methodology follows three successive steps. Firstly, a field observation of the most used UCOS was undertaken. Secondly, a spatial analysis examining the potential effect of the campus spatial configuration was conducted. Finally, a comparative analytical approach that illustrates the relationship between Islamic spatial configurations of UCOS and activity categories according to user behaviors was taken. The research shows the considered types of UCOS and their ranking according to the observational and computational methods that achieve the highest values for social qualities.

University campuses are meant to provide open and green spaces for students to create and excel. In this paper, the redesign of the Campus Outdoor Space (COS) of the College of Engineering in Tanta is assessed as it is a central square overlooked by buildings of the college exposed to excessive solar radiation. The method of the study consists of many stages. First, field measurements were appraised by Nova-Lynx weather station and investigating weather data files through the Climate consultant program. Next, the proposed design was tested and evaluated with the simulation programs Ansys Fluent CFD software to investigate thermal conformability. The positive environmental impact of the new design was revealed by comparing contours of solar heat flux, reflected infrared solar flux, wall radiated heat flux of surrounding buildings and analysis of temperature. Results indicated that COS redesign initiated a framework that integrates environmental comfort approaches producing retrofitting design rubric.