Integrating Sustainability in Architectural Engineering Education: A Framework for Early-Stage SDG Alignment

This study explores the limited inclusion of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in architectural engineering education. A thorough literature review highlights a predominant emphasis on technical aspects, while the broader social and environmental implications of design and construction are often overlooked. To address this gap, the paper introduces a new framework that utilizes extracurricular activities to integrate SDG considerations into the design process. This framework includes a method for visualizing connections between design features and specific SDGs and for providing contextual interpretations relevant to the built environment. The research utilized a dual methodology. First, a visual mapping technique was employed to track how SDGs were represented in undergraduate student research projects, enabling the analysis of trends in their application. Second, a case study applied this mapping tool to two student projects, providing a detailed assessment of the framework’s effectiveness in practice. The results show that the framework effectively helped students identify relevant SDGs, evaluate their presence in their work, and select appropriate design features to meet specific goals. Crucially, the framework supported students’ understanding and practical application of SDGs from the early design phases, emphasizing the value of interdisciplinary collaboration and real-world problem-solving. These findings offer key recommendations for improving curricula in the built environment and present a methodological approach for academic institutions to align with the global objectives for sustainable urban development set out in the 2030 Agenda.