Societal and planetary health have emerged in the backdrop of the pandemic and emerging climate change, to unify humanity globally in pursuit of sustainability in the built environment. Digitalization provided the unifying platform in this pursuit. Modern and native societies are facing unprecedented environmental disruption, distress and ill-health, uncontrolled waste and planetary contamination, resource scarcity, marginalization, and an aggressive climate change.

The built environment qualifies as the only sector that operationally relies on every stakeholder imaginable, across time, society, and geography. Unprecedented as it stands, never has the built environment been subject to so much scrutiny for its contribution to societal health and its symbiotic role within the planet. Built spaces need to be rigorously scrutinized for their resilience to pandemics and climate change (extreme weather, quarantine and social distancing, disease containment and sanitization, indoor safety, and ecosystem services). Indoor environment quality, particularly exposure to synthetics, PFAS (Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances), EDCs (Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals), and microplastics also require scrutiny, as these are emerging as chronic carcinogens threatening future generations.

The built environment has the single largest resource-emission-ecological footprint on the planet, and its role needs to flip from being exploitative and disruptive to restorative of planetary health. Restorative built environments, as an emerging paradigm, could accelerate decarbonization efforts to achieve net-zero, and endeavor to restore planetary health. Planetary health deals with the vitality of natural systems, including climate, ecology, and biodiversity, to maintain a healthy living environment.

This special issue aims to examine opportunities in the built environment's role in ensuring societal health and restoring planetary systems for sustainability.

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