Reimagining Sudan’s Built Environment: A Sustainable Recovery Approach

Purpose: This paper examines Sudan’s post-war rebuilding through the lens of sustainability, climate resilience, and inclusive urban planning. It introduces a Sustainable Rebuilding and Recovery Framework (SRRF) tailored to Sudan’s environmental, cultural, and economic realities, aiming to prevent past mis-steps and position Sudan as a regional leader in sustainable development. Design/methodology/approach: A multidisciplinary method is adopted, combining case study analysis, policy review, and best practices from global post-war reconstruction efforts. The framework aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Build Back Better (BBB) principles, emphasising participatory governance, climate-adaptive infrastructure, and regulatory reform. Findings: Key strategies include climate-adaptive infrastructure, green transport, affordable housing, circular economy models, and cultural heritage preservation. The study highlights the importance of renewable energy integration, resource-efficient construction, and community-led planning to ensure long-term resilience. Originality/value: This paper proposes a sustainability-driven reconstruction model specifically adapted to Sudan’s needs, offering practical recommendations for policy-makers, architects, urban planners, and development agencies to guide future-ready, inclusive rebuilding. Research limitations/implications: The study focuses on strategic frameworks rather than field-based data collection. Further research is needed to evaluate on-ground implementation, economic feasibility, and policy impact. Findings are applicable to other conflict-affected regions facing similar rebuilding challenges. Practical implications: The proposed framework provides a roadmap for sustainable urban recovery, highlighting pathways for Sudanese institutions, global partners, and community stakeholders to promote environmental stewardship, economic revitalisation, and cultural resilience. Keywords: Post-War Reconstruction; Sustainable Urban Development; Climate Resilience; Cultural Heritage Preservation; Renewable Energy; Sustainable Architecture; Circular Economy; Disaster Risk Reduction; Inclusive Urban Planning; Sudan Rebuilding Framework. Citation: Elhussein, S. (2025): Reimagining Sudan’s Built Environment: A Sustainable Recovery Approach. International Journal of Sudan Research (IJSR), Vol 12, No. 1, pp. 41-67.