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The built environment is one of the critical areas of intervention for sustainable development. This study aims to investigate the sustainable and appropriate ways of designing Afghanistan’s built environment. To put forward a reliable mechanism of research, the study develops and uses three approaches. The first is to review the sustainable strategies applied in the design of the country’s first LEED-certified building, the World Bank Building in Kabul (WBBK). Secondly to understand the main concepts involved in the practice of designing for sustainability by analyzing five of the most influential books in the realm of design and sustainability. Finally, the findings from the review of the five books are reinforced with more literature associated with design and sustainability to analyze and evaluate the sustainable strategies of the WBBK. The study posits that although the building can promote the idea of a sustainable built environment in the country but there are several issues. Among the issues are, (1) Its high dependence on eco-technologies to reduce environmental impact rather than designing in relation to social and ecological systems, (2) Its insufficiency in providing a resilient design that is self-sufficient, flexible, and adaptive, and (3) Its lack of creating aesthetic experiences and cultural meaning for its occupants which are required for future designs and development. Furthermore, based on the findings and upon inquiring into the sustainable design of WBBK, the paper concluded with a set of recommendations to contribute towards the design of a sustainable built environment in Afghanistan.

The people of Herat in Western Afghanistan had better civil infrastructure 500 years ago during the Timurids Dynasty than they do today. Whatever of architectural value is left in Herat is a reminder of the splendid Timurid period. The war of occupation by the Russians and the ensuing civil war damaged or destroyed whatever was left of an architectural style particular to Herat. Migration to and from neighboring countries during the war years has brought a hodgepodge of architectural styles from the neighboring countries which do not blend with the environment. Within one area of Herat, one can see examples of Roman and Iranian architecture, in addition to Pakistani-style buildings. For some buildings, it is impossible to tell what, if any, architectural style is followed.Recently, there have been efforts to try to revive the original architecture of Herat by restoring historic buildings. This has been done with assistance from the Agha Khan Cultural Foundation and local authorities. In addition, through a grant from the World Bank to the Ministry of Higher Education, Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Herat University in collaboration with the University of Hartford is working on a curriculum to introduce formal Architectural Engineering Education at Herat University. This paper will present a brief history of Architecture in Herat followed by a discussion of the current situation. It will present the latest in curriculum development for an Architectural Engineering program at Herat University and the integration of traditional architecture into the curriculum, and finally will conclude with recommendations as how to reinvigorate traditional Herat architecture in the design of modern buildings.

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