Architectural contributions to climate change mitigation in urban residential contexts through a global qualitative approach

Urban residential contexts, characterized by dense populations and escalating climate pressures, demand innovative architectural strategies to mitigate environmental degradation. This study explores how architects can contribute to climate change mitigation, emphasizing sustainable design within a global framework. Employing a qualitative approach, we conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 27 global experts and key informants, extracting 50 codes that were subsequently categorized into 9 sub-themes and 3 overarching themes: Policy, Governance, and Community Engagement; Sustainable Design and Resource Management; and Technological and Environmental Innovation. Thematic analysis was triangulated to ensure robustness, with a focus on urban residential applications. Findings reveal architects’ pivotal roles in shaping regulatory frameworks, with codes mandating renewable energy integration and green certifications (e.g., LEED) achieving 30–50% energy savings. Sustainable design strategies—such as passive envelopes and recycled materials—reduce carbon emissions by up to 50%, while water harvesting and waste retrofitting address resource scarcity. Technological innovations, including AI-driven climate modeling, enhance energy efficiency by 20–40%. Community engagement fosters resilience, doubling sustainability adherence through participatory design. Quotes from interviewees underscore practical impacts, e.g., “Retrofitting old buildings is the smartest way to keep carbon locked in.” Architects emerge as interdisciplinary catalysts, bridging policy, design, and technology to mitigate climate change in urban residences. This global lens offers scalable solutions that can inform urban planning and policy. Future research should quantify longitudinal impacts across diverse urban ecologies, amplifying architectural contributions to planetary sustainability. Green certifications reduce urban home energy use by 30–50% globally. Retrofitting cuts carbon emissions by 60%, outperforming new builds. Smart tech boosts efficiency by 20–40% via AI and IoT. Community engagement doubles sustainability adoption. Architects integrate policy, tech, and design for climate resilience.