This book discusses the potential of a systemic and multidisciplinary design approach to improve urban quality, health, livability, and inclusiveness for people living in informal settlements. In most instances, attempts to address informal settlements lack an adequate assessment of their impact on the wider built environment and implementation of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. The Integrated Modification Methodology (IMM), introduced here, offers a systematic, multidisciplinary design tool encompassing several of the aspects that define the environmental performance of urban systems. The book also demonstrates the application of the methodology to an informal settlement, proving its potential to guide systemicurban transformations, also in urban areas lacking formal planning. The case study investigated is in the Rocinha favela in Rio de Janeiro, which ischaracterized by poor water quality, lack of drainage and sanitation systems, and very few green spaces. Based on a rigorous methodology, the process described here can also be applied in similar contexts around the world.

The book aims to provide a basis for design and construction of resource-efficient buildings. The main concepts follow the vision of a European Sustainable Building as defined in the 2-years Smart-ECO research project funded by European Commission under the Sixth Framework Program. The focus is concentrated on innovations enabling the building sector to meet the requirements originating from the sustainability concept.

Innovation is considered at different scales: micro (product, service and process), meso (sector, supply chain, region and system) and macro (economy-wide).

Furthermore, the book focuses on aspects of relevance when striving to implement innovative technologies in building design: an integrated design process is indispensable to obtain a Smart-ECO building, independently of how effective a single technology is. Each chapter provides information on fundamental aspects of innovations towards resource-efficient buildings, shows examples and makes further guidance by way of a dedicated bibliography. Case studies are predominantly recent projects or experiences improving understanding and encouraging implementation.