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This paper investigates factors influencing the shaping of future learning environments. It focuses on the impact of
social and cultural requirements on the sustainability of future learning environment. It argues that while today's learning
environments are shaped by yesterday's visions, future learning environments are shaped by toady's' visions that
might not be acceptable nor valid for future generations. The case of New Kuwait University City in Shedadiyah is used
to illustrate how current social and cultural requirements impact the design of a future university campus and inhibit
the production of a sustainable environment. Among several socio-cultural factors, the paper focuses on two significant
aspects that have dramatically affected the development of the master plan for the New University City; namely
separation of students' sexes and car parking requirements. The first requirement was mandated by a parliament
decree to build two separate campuses; one for male students and the other for female students. The implementation
of this requirement resulted in the duplication of many educational facilities and immensely increased space and budget
requirements. The second requirement reflected dependency on automobiles as primary means of transportation
in Kuwait. It resulted in a necessity to allocate large areas of land for vehicular traffic and car parking. These two
requirements, as well as other socio-cultural requirements, created a great challenge towards achieving the required
level of sustainability. The paper concludes that while recognizing that accommodating clients' social and cultural
requirements is necessary for the application of a comprehensive sustainability strategy, these requirements might work
against achieving required levels of other aspects of sustainability.
Keywords : Sustainability, Socio-Cultural Factors, Campus, Master Planning, Kuwait.
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