Review

Artificial Intelligence, Architecture, and Urban Sustainability: A Systematic Review with a Speculative Design Approach

Volume: 19 Number: 2 March 3, 2026
TR EN

Artificial Intelligence, Architecture, and Urban Sustainability: A Systematic Review with a Speculative Design Approach

Abstract

This study presents a systematic literature review that examines the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies into the disciplines of architecture and urban planning, within the context of sustainable cities. In this review conducted in accordance with the PRISMA protocol, 11 academic publications were evaluated through keywords identified in the Web of Science and Scopus databases. The literature has been examined under five thematic headings: AI applications in urban planning processes, Decision support systems and scenario development, Social participation and governance, Conceptual- speculative approaches, and the Sustainability perspective. Methodologically, the study has focused on both technical applications and social and ethical dimensions with an interdisciplinary approach. The literature shows that AI is effective in areas such as data-intensive decision-making, multi-scenario analysis, and performance optimization in planning and design processes. However, significant gaps still exist in the areas of social engagement, ethical responsibility, and stakeholder diversity. The speculative design approach, on the other hand, has the potential to go beyond current practices by combining possible future scenarios shaped by AI with architectural and urban visions. In this context, the study poses the following fundamental research questions: (1) How are AI technologies integrated into the fields of architecture and urban planning? (2) What themes are prominent at the intersection of AI and speculative design? (3) How are AI applications evaluated in terms of social participation and ethical governance with respect to sustainable city goals? These questions provide an essential framework for forward-looking creative and critical urban design approaches. This review addresses a notable gap in the literature by examining the role of AI in sustainable urban design, providing insights into underexplored areas such as participatory governance and ethical AI practices. The findings contribute to both academia and practice by highlighting how AI-driven approaches can enhance sustainable city planning and by identifying areas where further innovation is needed, thereby informing future design strategies.

Keywords

Artificial Intelligence in Architecture , Sustainable Urban Planning , Smart Cities and Ethics , Participatory Design Technologies

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APA
Akdağ, F., & Künyeli, F. B. (2026). Artificial Intelligence, Architecture, and Urban Sustainability: A Systematic Review with a Speculative Design Approach. Kent Akademisi, 19(2), 1-21. https://doi.org/10.35674/kent.1681393