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The harm caused by the inefficient designs of contemporary cities to the environment is abysmal. Demands for new cities continue to rise due to the growing global populations. The literature discussed the increasing harm caused by such growths on the environment and their negative impact on the physiological and psychological health of urban inhabitants. Can urban developments be designed as smart, dense and overall sustainable environments to enhance the inhabitants’ quality of life (QoL) and encourage sustainable behaviours? This research attempts to answer this question by proposing a prototype for a smart, sustainable neighbourhood in Bahrain. The study uses LEED guidelines for neighbourhood development along with the concepts of smart cities to design the neighbourhood prototype. The research focuses on finding solutions to the current urban challenges faced at the neighbourhood scale in Bahrain. Those include the increasing populations, environmental harm and the negative social behaviours. The prototype presents a sentient architecture model that utilises technology to monitor and control the physical environment. The design introduces a new urban model where people’s consciousness plays an essential role in maintaining sustainable behaviours and encouraging responsible actions. © 2019 Institution of Engineering and Technology. All rights reserved.
