Ongoing research Research programme
New Contextualism 2.0
BRAC University, Dhaka Documented 2024
The further development of the approach at BRAC University, with greater emphasis on sustainability frameworks, nature-inspired design and proactive resilience.
Abstract plate Editorial summary Awaiting the founder’s approval Compiled from the cited sources
01 Context and background
The founder describes New Contextualism 2.0 as the outcome of ongoing work at BRAC University, reflecting a heightened urgency about global environmental challenges and a more explicit integration of contemporary sustainability frameworks (Reza 2025). A workshop on New Contextualism 2.0 was announced for February 2024 (Context BD 2024).
02 Research questions
- How do mangroves dissipate wave energy?
- How do termite mounds achieve passive cooling?
Questions as posed in the cited source.
03 Conditions
Historical
Not yet documented.
Social
Not yet documented.
Cultural
Not yet documented.
Ecological
Not yet documented.
04 Analytical process
The 2025 essay names four areas of emphasis: nature-inspired design (biomimicry), learning from the strategies of local ecosystems and organisms; deep sustainability integration across the design lifecycle, beyond superficial ‘greenwashing’; alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, mapping design intentions and outcomes against them; and proactive resilience, anticipating climate impacts such as sea-level rise and increased storm intensity (Reza 2025; United Nations General Assembly 2015).
05 Design response
Awaiting documentation Not yet documented. This section will be completed with material supplied or approved by the project’s authors.
06 Outcomes and critical reflections
Awaiting documentation Not yet documented. This section will be completed with material supplied or approved by the project’s authors.
07 Contributors and references
Contributors have not been named in the published sources.
- Context BD 2024Context BD. 2024. “Exploring New Contextualism 2.0: An Approach to Architecture and Urban Design.” Context BD (events). Accessed October 19, 2026. https://contextbd.com/events/event/exploring-new-contextualism-2-0-an-approach-to-architecture-and-urban-design/. Record
- Reza 2025Reza, Mohammad Habib. 2025. “New Contextualism: An architectural philosophy for deltaic Bangladesh.” The Daily Star, April 23, 2025. https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/focus/news/new-contextualism-architectural-philosophy-deltaic-bangladesh-3878456. Record
- United Nations General Assembly 2015United Nations General Assembly. 2015. “Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.” Resolution A/RES/70/1, October 21, 2015. https://sdgs.un.org/2030agenda. Record
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