journal of sustainable rural development

journal of sustainable rural development

Evaluating Biophilic Architectural Indicators in Rural Housing and Strategies for Sustainable Rural Housing (A Case Study of Zabol County, southeastern Iran)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Bibikalan Pordeli 1
elaheh kavosi 2
1 Instructor, Department of Architecture, Art and Architecture, University of Zabol, Iran
2 PhD in Geography and Urban Planning, Faculty of Geographical Sciences and Planning, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
10.22034/jsrd.2025.507909.1212
Abstract
Purpose: In recent decades, architecture has increasingly shifted toward sustainability, driven by climate change, environmental crises, and technological advancements. Among the key approaches in this transformation is biophilic architecture, which emphasizes achieving a balance between humans, nature, and the built environment. This approach is particularly significant in the context of rural housing, where indigenous principles and close interaction with nature often shape architecture. This study examines the current state of rural housing architecture in Zabol County and assesses its alignment with the principles of biophilic architecture to propose strategies for its revitalization.
Methods: The research adopts a descriptive-analytical approach and is based on data collected through a survey. The study population consists of residents from five villages in the central district of Zabol County. Using Cochran's formula, a sample size of 347 individuals was determined. Experts confirmed the validity of the questionnaire, and its reliability was verified by administering 30 questionnaires and calculating a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient greater than 0.70.
Results: The test results indicated that the principles of biophilic architecture in rural housing were statistically significant at a level below 0.05 (p = 0.000). The direction of significance highlights the absence and lack of adherence to biophilic architecture principles in the region's rural housing. The lowest mean score (1.580) was related to the preservation of vegetation and interaction with nature, while the highest mean (2.435) corresponded to attention to climate and geographical conditions. The overall test means of 2.103 further confirm the weak presence of biophilic architecture principles in the rural housing of the region. To revive and enhance the biophilic approach in rural housing architecture, five key strategies were proposed: (1) support and formulation of indigenous housing legislation, (2) formulation of indigenous housing architecture patterns, (3) utilizing tourism to promote indigenous housing, (4) mandating and monitoring the use of indigenous materials, and (5) using indigenous vegetation in housing spaces.
Conclusion: The findings revealed that new rural housing in the Zabol region has largely disregarded biophilic architectural principles. Considering these conditions, several measures must be implemented, including enforcing compliance within local communities through housing construction regulations and strengthening oversight mechanisms to ensure adherence.
Keywords
Biophilic architecture
Rural housing
Sustainable development
Zabol County
Iran
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journal of sustainable rural development
Volume 9, Issue 2 - Serial Number 16
Autumn and Winter
Autumn 2025