Sustainable Human Settlements through Pozzolan Concrete: Lessons from Ancient Roman concrete

Ancient Roman concrete, renowned for its durability and self-healing properties, offers valuable lessons for modern sustainable construction. A study examining the use of pozzolans—natural supplementary cementitious materials—in Roman concrete from Sabratha reveals their potential to significantly reduce CO2 emissions in today's cement industry. Petrographic analysis of these ancient structures highlights the eco-friendly benefits of integrating natural pozzolanic resources, such as those found in Libya’s Al Haruj Volcanic Province. This approach aligns with multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), 13 (Climate Action), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). By leveraging historical practices, the research advocates for a more sustainable future in urban development.

Khaled Alsagheir shwaya, Najat Almabrouk Owen, & Seham Almabrouk Abulgasim. (2026). Sustainable Human Settlements through Pozzolan Concrete: Lessons from Ancient Roman concrete. Al-Farooq Journal of Sciences, 2(ملحق 3), 755–763. https://doi.org/10.65405/pg6gkp52