Co-Creating Energy Retrofitting presents a human-centered approach to tackle the climate crisis in one of the world's most vulnerable regions: the Mediterranean, where rural commons face a critical shift from productivity to consumerism. Fortunately, energy retrofitting is a vital stabilizing force that can accelerate decarbonization in rural settlements and preserve their local identities. Why does understanding the rurality and traditional dynamics matter? What role do key-enabling technologies, Nature-based Solutions, and citizen-led retrofitting play in framing self-sufficiency dogma towards a climate-neutral future? What is the effective way to retrofit these distinguished contexts with the embedded socio-cultural significance? How can stakeholders bridge the implementation gaps during times of uncertainty? This monograph answers these key questions and others by providing technical solutions and, beyond that, by introducing an innovative Agile-Transdisciplinary Framework that adapts the mechanics of the Scrum project management model to manage stakeholder conflicts and foster community co-creation. Readers will discover a practical framework for driving climate neutrality and the clean energy transition. Thus, this book is an indispensable resource for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers dedicated to the decarbonization and valorization of the rural Mediterranean built environment. Furthermore, the Agile framework introduced in this book offers highly adaptable insights that can inform sustainable retrofitting practices worldwide.
Mediterranean Traditional Settlements.- Existing Mediterranean
Traditional Settlements Patterns and Values.- Energy Retrofitting Practices
for Decarbonization and Valorization.- Transdisciplinary and Cooperation in
Energy Retrofitting.- Framework Validation: Case Studies Egypt, Italy, and
Portugal.- Co-creating Energy Retrofitting Evaluation.
Dr. Ahmed Abouaiana is an Assistant Professor of Architectural Engineering at the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU). With over 23 years of professional experience in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector across the Middle East, he is a scholar, educator, and sustainability and decarbonization consultant. He holds a Ph.D. in the Planning, Design, and Technology of Architecture from Sapienza University of Rome, Italy, alongside an M.Sc. in Architectural Engineering and a postgraduate diploma in Urban Design and Community Development from Cairo University, and a B.Sc. in Architecture from Alexandria University, Egypt. Dr. Abouaianas expertise encompasses the sustainable retrofitting and decarbonization of the built environment. Bridging the gap between academic theory and industry practice, he advocates for human-centered, participatory approaches, specifically using Agile methodologies and the Scrum framework to co-create energy retrofitting solutions and promote citizen-led energy communities in Europe and the Middle East. His sustainability consulting for AEC firms notably contributed to winning the Facilities Management Firm Award at the BIG Five Egypt Impact Awards in 2023. Before his current academic role, he was the founder and director of an architecture firm (20082025). Dr. Abouaiana serves on scientific committees and as a peer reviewer for over 100 scientific articles. He has authored a book and over 30 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and conference papers. He has engaged in public speaking to raise community awareness of sustainability and climate change, and spearheaded bottom-up initiatives to connect architectural education with professional practice. He is a member of the Society of Egyptian Architects-International Union of Architects, the Egyptian Syndicate of Engineers, and a former member of the Italian Society of Architectural Technology (SITdA).
