RSFA PRESS PUBLISHING SCOPE
About RSFA Press
RSFA Press, a subsidiary of RSFA Research Grant[1], is a not-for-profit publishing initiative dedicated to advancing knowledge in ecologically sustainable built environments. Our publishing mission stems from the core values established by RSFA Grant, which recognizes that true sustainability extends beyond conventional definitions to encompass holistic, culturally-rooted approaches to build environment design and development.
Scope of Publications
RSFA Press welcomes works that address the following key areas:
1. Ecological Embeddedness
– Ecological Design – Traditional and indigenous building designs and techniques using sustainable materials (rubble, adobe, bamboo, wood-frame)- Low-cost, but dignified housing solutions- Ecological building systems and methodologies- Climate-responsive architectural design based on passive means- Traditional wisdom in design, construction, and planning
2. Urban Sustainability & Planning- Alternative urban development models (e.g., “15-minute city” contextualized for Pakistan)- Urban agriculture and productive landscapes- Sponge City and Blue-green infrastructure implementation- Retrofit strategies for existing urban areas- Eco-village and off-grid settlement design
– Town and neighborhood planning focusing on local production and consumption.- Degrowth and reshoring applications in urban contexts
3. Environmental Systems & Infrastructure- Ecologically driven water management systems (rain harvesting, flood control)- Waste recycling and circular economy approaches- Climate control at the neighborhood and city scale- Ecological conservation and preservation- Pro-forestation, reforestation, and afforestation initiatives- Landscape design for environmental sustainability
4. Socio-ecological Studies- Traditional ecological knowledge, wisdom, systems, and practices- Community-based ecologically sustainable development- Social and economic empowerment through ecologically developed built environment- Historical and cultural continuity and sustainability in urban contexts
Publication Types
RSFA Press publishes:
1. Research monographs
2. Academic books
3. Project documentation and case studies
4. Best practice guides
5. Student capstone project compilations
6. Technical manuals and handbooks
7. Theoretical frameworks and methodologies
Key Publishing Criteria
Works published by RSFA Press must:
1. Demonstrate commitment to true sustainability as defined by RSFA’s vision
2. Challenge conventional consumerist approaches to built environment
3. Promote restraint and simplicity in design and development
4. Show sensitivity to historical knowledge and regional ecology
5. Address the needs of the general public rather than just the influential segments
6. Be applicable or relevant to the Pakistani context
7. Demonstrate the harmonious coexistence of human settlements and natural systems
8. Support personal, social, economic, and political empowerment through design and planning
Open Access Policy
All RSFA Press publications are made freely available online through rsfa.pk, reflecting our commitment to democratizing knowledge and making ecologically sustainable built environment research accessible to all stakeholders, practitioners, and interested readers.
Geographic Focus
While the primary geographic focus is Pakistan, we welcome works that offer relevant insights from other regions that can be adapted to the Pakistani context or contribute to the broader discourse on sustainable built environments.
Language Policy
Publications are accepted in English, Urdu, and Arabic to ensure wider accessibility and preserve local knowledge systems.
[1] Razia Sultana & Farida Akbar Research Grant for sustainability in the Built Environment (rsfa.pk)