From Self-Reliant to Sufficiency Design: Predictive and Forecasting Features of Technology Approach

Contemporary challenges require a conscious transition from the traditional approach of self-reliant design to sufficiency design, which represents a crucial paradigm shift in the technological approach at all scales. The self-reliant approach focuses on creating systems that can operate independently and self-sustainably and introduce advanced solutions, such as renewable energies, smart technologies and resilient designs, to create urban systems, buildings and spaces that reduce external dependency, promoting sustainability and independence in environmental and energy contexts. The need to take a broader view, integrating resilience as a key element in the design of urban systems, buildings and public spaces has led to the consideration of sufficiency to meet essential needs efficiently, without resorting to excess, encouraging the optimisation of resources and the reduction of environmental impacts. This paper presents some critical reflection on consumption/use of resourcesand built environment at different scales, promoting methodologies and solutions resulting from carried out research. The result is a built environment that not only meets immediate needs but is also designed to adapt to and withstand future challenges, such as climate change, energy crises and emergency situations. In designing for sufficiency, the focus shifts from mere self-sufficiency to creating resilient and adaptable communities. This requires the consideration of social, economic and environmental aspects, promoting community participation in the co-creation of urban spaces. Thus, sufficiency design for resilient urban systems aims to create built environments that are not only self-sufficient but also able to adapt and thrive in the face of future challenges, thus contributing to a sustainable and resiliently built future.