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The promotion of sustainable design is demanded globally. The life cycle assessment (LCA) proved its reliability in this mission, but the difficulty and time required to apply it discouraged designers. This research aims to integrate LCA into the building design process through a software tool, taking advantage of generative design features. This will facilitate decision-making by architects and construction professionals.

The study develops the EGY-LCA (http://egy-lca.com/). This prototype tool suggests exterior wall design alternatives for residential buildings in Egypt, using the environmental impact indicators of LCA data and other criteria related to national codes, materials, construction methods and required thermal resistance. Within a generative design process, the algorithm tests every possible wall method with materials and thickness combinations for each layer in compliance with inputs. The paper begins by explaining the tool’s working method. Afterward, different sets of inputs are examined and the values of the resultant environmental impacts of several suggested wall solutions are statistically analyzed. The application demonstrates the importance of the generative design tool. Proposing several solutions based on a set of inputs facilitates the selection of sustainable choices and allows comparisons between alternatives.

The prototype experiment confirms the research hypothesis. Unlike the available LCA tools, architects can make decisions with limited LCA experience if the data and equations are integrated into a generative design tool. The prototype proves its applicability for exterior wall alternatives.

The prototype is the initial step toward a whole-building LCA tool. It includes limited LCA stages and materials for the external wall. Future research is required to expand this parametric tool concept to include all the building components. The framework in Section 5 proposes a visualization.

The prototype tool: EGY-LCA (http://egy-lca.com/). The value added to the design and construction sectors through the uncomplicated LCA application is fostering sustainable design, generative design tools can achieve this.

The novelty of this work is that it is the first initiative offering a parametric LCA tool. It promotes the application of LCA at the design stage using generative design, which contributes to sustainable development.

The present work reviews the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on architecture education (AE), with the aim of discussing the interaction and integration of technology-based models.

Different research methods were used to achieve the research purposes including an online survey, semistructured interviews, observations and reviewing recent literature. The study proposes a theoretical framework to investigate blended learning (BL) approaches in AE, based on the blended teaching–learning continuum, the growth of online delivery mode and technology integration and the gradual responsibility adopted for the current Covid-19 pandemic.

The study proposes a vision to reimagine post-Covid-19 education and the required BL strategy to provide a theoretical framework that integrates the instructional models required to be investigated by instructors.

The research findings are based on a theoretical approach not tested practically. A further detailed investigation is required. Thus, the road to reimagining the post-Covid-19 AE is still evolving.

As faculty members, one should take steps toward preparing BL strategies. These strategies present other alternatives to continue teaching and learning while keeping safe in any other emergency in education. In this work, an overview of BL approaches, continuum and related technological and instructional models has been shaped to propose a new vision to post-Covid-19 AE.

This paper responds directly to the initiated call on the pandemic's effect on traditional education by taking a pedagogical perspective. The study presents a holistic BL strategy and proposes a new theoretical and instructional model to design a suitable and balanced BL environment in AE.

Passive design strategies contribute to improving indoor comfort conditions and reducing buildings' energy consumption. For several years, courtyards have received wide attention from researchers because of their significant role in reducing energy demand. However, the abundance of multi-story buildings and the courtyards' incompatibility with them, the courtyard is currently limited. Therefore, it is necessary to search for alternatives. This paper aims to bridge the gaps in previous limited studies considering skycourt as a passive alternative on the vertical plane of the facades in contrast to the courtyard.

This research presents an overview and a bibliometric analysis of the evolution of the courtyard to the skycourt via VOSviewer software and the bibliometrix R package.

The research provided various concepts related to skycourt as a promising passive design strategy, which can be suitable for multi-story buildings, starting with its evolution, characteristics, configurations, benefits, and challenges.

The findings can urge designers, researchers and policymakers to incorporate such an important passive alternative.

Researchers, instructors, educational specialists, faculty members, and decision-makers can provide design motivation for skycourt in buildings, in addition to achieving awareness about skycourt and its significant benefits and its role as an important passive design strategy.

The research highlights the possibilities of the skycourt and its role as a passive design element as an extension of the courtyard in addition to identifying design indicators that help designers determine the appropriate designs.

Online learning has many limitations in studio-based courses, such as architectural design courses, considering the challenges during post-pandemic. Therefore, this study aims to propose a post-pandemic adopted learning approach, which integrates flipped classrooms (FC) with project-based learning (PBL). In addition, this study evaluates the perceptions of students based on and the effects of the proposed learning approach in architectural design.

This study provides a mixed methodology based on a literature review on the topic to bridge the gaps in previous studies regarding the FC and PBL. In addition, a case study survey including semi-structured interviews, observations questionnaire recruited undergraduate students to generate both qualitative and quantitative data to investigate the perceptions of students based on post-pandemic adopted learning approach.

This study has highlighted the significance of post-pandemic adopted hybrid learning method, especially in architectural education, whereas the research finds that FC is an appropriate solution to improve design courses with online technologies.

The proposed approach provides specialists to develop and integrate proposals and strategies to enable a better online practice for students and instructors. The proposed approach can enhance the students' interpersonal skills, hence active online learning related architectural design projects.

Recognizing the significance of e-learning in response to the post-pandemic scenario, this study developed and assessed new learning technique that combines online learning with traditional design studios via hybrid learning method.

The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on architectural education (AE) was investigated, and a framework was proposed to reduce the impacts' negative consequences.

Systematic literature review, bibliometric and content analyses were combined to gain an in-depth understanding of the effects of the pandemic on AE and projections for its future. Relevant documents were extracted from the Web of Science (WoS) database. Bibliometric connections in the context of AE and COVID-19 pandemic were explored using text-mining and content analysis was performed.

The challenges, development tendencies and collaboration networks in AE during the pandemic were quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed. The most influential articles, journals, authors and countries/regions were highlighted using a bibliometric analysis. The analysis of keyword tendencies and clusters indicates that new concepts have emerged in AE research during the pandemic involving online, in-person and hybrid education. Using content analysis of 57 subtopics, 39 (18) were categorized as having negative (positive) effects. A comprehensive mitigation framework was designed to reduce the impact of the pandemic on AE.

The study findings can enable practitioners to construct effective solutions to COVID-19- and other disaster-related problems regarding AE. The implications, obstacles and mitigation framework presented can help identify gaps in the literature and guide further research.

This paper presents the first bibliometric and content analysis of AE and COVID-19 pandemic-related studies published from January 2020 to June 2022 to highlight several research directions and academic development within the field.

Iodine deficiency has several adverse effects on human growth and development and it is categorized collectively as iodine deficiency disorders (IDDs). Recent estimations showed that 29.8 per cent of school-age children have insufficient iodine intake. Salt iodization is widely accepted as the best method for increasing iodine intake. In 1995, Morocco adopted the universal salt iodization strategy to reduce iodine deficiency and consequently prevent and control IDDs. This study aims to determine the benefit of this strategy on schoolchildren and adolescent by assessing iodine intake and evaluating iodine deficiency.

This transversal study was conducted on 131 children and adolescents. Iodine intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Iodine status was evaluated on 24-h urine samples and the creatinine excretion was used to validate completeness of urine collection.

The medians of urinary iodine excretion and concentration were 77 µg/day and 96 µg/L, respectively. Overall, 72.5 per cent are deficient, so mild and moderate iodine deficiencies were reported in 58 per cent and 14.5 per cent, respectively, and no child exhibited severe deficiency. A significant difference was reported between iodine deficiency and, sex and age; iodine deficiency was more pronounced in boys and children under eight years. In this study, iodine status in deficient children does not change with the consumption pattern of dairy products and eggs, and results showed no significant association (p > 0.05). However, fish consumption was significantly associated to urinary iodine concentration = 100 µg/L (p = 0.044). Average UIC in school-aged children is still inadequate and consumption of foods high in iodine remains very insufficient. Therefore, additional efforts must focus on nutritional education of Moroccan school-aged children.

In the author’s knowledge, this is the first study evaluating schoolchildren iodine status by 24-h iodine collection; the study reported association of iodine deficiency with dietary habit concerning sources of food rich on iodine.

This article discusses the public library system in Morocco, compiling the available information tackling the historical background of public libraries and their early work and the system that has been adopted during and after colonial periods. The main purpose of the study is to shed light on the present situation of the public library system in Morocco and also to further identify some of the recurrent issues in the public library system in Morocco.

The authors relied on a literature review as a theoretical reference in order to study and extract the available studies done previously on the Moroccan system for public libraries.

Public libraries in Morocco face various issues such as lack of available data and research, lack of appropriate funds, education in the field of library and information sciences, low rate of reading culture within the country and the high rate of illiteracy, all of which obstruct the development of Moroccan librarianship. There is a necessary reform need and action in order to help in the development of libraries in the country.

This paper is the first paper that discussed the state of public libraries in Morocco and that draws and highlights the importance of public libraries in relation with the country's development.

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the framework of hospital governance in order to understanding the persistence of dysfunctions that have caused the deterioration of the image and quality of Moroccan public hospital services.

The analysis of the hospital governance model has used a conceptual framework examining four dimensions: institutional, financial, accountability and decision-making dimensions. This framework operationalization was highlighted through a documentary review of the main regulatory and legal texts as well as multiple case studies, using semi-structured interviews with the key stakeholders, considering their expertise and implication in the governance process.

The study was able to highlight that the governance structure of Moroccan public hospitals has been subject to numerous legislative provisions and modern management instruments. However, the limited autonomy, the resources shortage, dilapidated equipment, the chronic budget deficit, staff demotivation, the lack of accountability mechanisms have led to the deterioration of the quality of care and, hence, to patient's dissatisfaction.

The analysis formed the basis for a series of recommendations. These were mainly aimed at rethinking the current governance model by setting up an institutional policy to improve the current governance structures and monitoring mechanisms of hospitals, as well as revising the instruments for planning and evaluating the provision of care and services according to the real needs of the population, taking into account the financial limits.

The hospital governance framework is proving to be a powerful tool for identifying the problems contributing to sub-optimal hospital performance, and calls for policy interventions to improve the organisation organization and delivery of hospital services with greater patient involvement.

This study was the first to analyse the Moroccan hospital governance model, using a comprehensive and structured evaluation methodology designed for public hospitals and supported by extensive data collection which made it possible to offer a broad and in-depth view of the actual functioning of these institutions.

This research study aims at revealing a planning method for the development of the Souq Waqif-Transit village.

Over the past decade, transit-oriented developments (TODs) have become an international city planning model for promoting sustainable urbanism. On a regional scale, the State of Qatar launched the construction of Doha Metro. The current network consists of three lines with a central interchange station within the city's most vibrant cultural core, i.e., between Msheireb Downtown Doha and Msheireb, near to the Souq Waqif historical site and Al Corniche waterfront promenade. The Qatar National Development Framework emphasizes the importance of stimulating sustainable urban growth by linking the Doha Metro with TODs.

The findings show that the benefits of a strategy for monitoring and assessing the potential benefits of the investigated TOD linked to the analysis of the indices for (1) travel behavior, (2) built environment diversity and (3) other categories specific to the site's historical-heritage preservation.

Namely, a comprehensive approach for developing a historical site is/should be grounded in a planning method for enhancing the mixed-used urban fabric, public realm and walkability, and heritage preservation.

The insights from this research study aim to guide the long-term sustainable urban growth of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) cities in the future.

The proposed sustainable growth planning scheme for the Souq Waqif addresses gaps highlighted through design tools of investigation. The missing attributes concern three key factors: (1) mixed-used urban fabric, (2) public realm and walkability and (3) built heritage preservation. The quality of streetscape, corridors, connections and connectivity of pedestrian and walkable network: TOD is not dependent on a singular mode of transport (Doha Metro), but it includes all systems that allow for mass public mobility within the city districts. Integrating other transport systems within mixed-use areas should be reevaluated based on accessibility to such systems, including taxi services, public bus services and public shuttles.