Can Smart Homes Heal Cities? Rethinking Residential Wellbeing in South East Europe

Session

Architecture and Spatial Planning

Description

The South East European (SEE) region faces significant challenges in the residential sector, including outdated housing stock, low energy efficiency, and poor indoor environmental quality, all of which negatively affect occupant health and wellbeing (European Commission, 2020). Research indicates that healthy homes are essential not only for reducing energy poverty but also for improving cognitive performance, thermal comfort, and long-term public health (WHO, 2018; Santamouris, 2021). This study explores the potential of smart, healthy homes as catalysts for urban resilience in SEE. By integrating affordable retrofitting strategies, Internet of Things (IoT)-based monitoring of indoor quality, and culturally responsive architectural design, the project seeks to align wellbeing at the household scale with broader urban sustainability agendas (Vula Rizvanolli et al., 2022). The findings emphasize that homes—where individuals spend most of their lives—can serve as foundational nodes in smart city ecosystems. As such, rethinking residential wellbeing through smart technologies and regenerative design has the potential to “heal” cities by fostering healthier, more equitable, and climate-resilient communities (RESTORE, 2019).

Keywords:

Smart Homes, Smart Cities, Wellbeing, Comfort, SEE

Proceedings Editor

Edmond Hajrizi

ISBN

978-9951-982-41-2

Location

UBT Kampus, Lipjan

Start Date

25-10-2025 9:00 AM

End Date

26-10-2025 6:00 PM

DOI

10.33107/ubt-ic.2025.8

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Oct 25th, 9:00 AM Oct 26th, 6:00 PM

Can Smart Homes Heal Cities? Rethinking Residential Wellbeing in South East Europe

UBT Kampus, Lipjan

The South East European (SEE) region faces significant challenges in the residential sector, including outdated housing stock, low energy efficiency, and poor indoor environmental quality, all of which negatively affect occupant health and wellbeing (European Commission, 2020). Research indicates that healthy homes are essential not only for reducing energy poverty but also for improving cognitive performance, thermal comfort, and long-term public health (WHO, 2018; Santamouris, 2021). This study explores the potential of smart, healthy homes as catalysts for urban resilience in SEE. By integrating affordable retrofitting strategies, Internet of Things (IoT)-based monitoring of indoor quality, and culturally responsive architectural design, the project seeks to align wellbeing at the household scale with broader urban sustainability agendas (Vula Rizvanolli et al., 2022). The findings emphasize that homes—where individuals spend most of their lives—can serve as foundational nodes in smart city ecosystems. As such, rethinking residential wellbeing through smart technologies and regenerative design has the potential to “heal” cities by fostering healthier, more equitable, and climate-resilient communities (RESTORE, 2019).