Sustainable Construction Education in Private Higher Education Institutions: Bridging Green Building Practices and Settlement Planning for Global Urban Resilience

Abstract

There is a critical demand for a paradigm shift in construction education to reduce the effects of climate change and rapid urbanisation. Therefore, this study systematically reviews the local and global literature to examine how Private Higher Institutions (PHIs) integrate Sustainable Settlement Planning (SSPs) and Green Building Practices (GBPs) into curricula using PRISMA guidelines. A total of 98 peer-reviewed studies (2015–2025) were analysed. The findings show that macro-level SSP remains underrepresented, and the micro-level is biased toward GBP. This continuously fragmented sustainability training could benefit society. The effectiveness of pedagogies includes interdisciplinary design studios and problem-based learning, but PHIs face challenges such as a lack of faculty expertise, rigid accreditation structures, and resource constraints. The SLR ascertained the exceptional possibilities of PHIs to accelerate curricular innovation. Also proposes a framework that is significant for integrating GBP–SSP education. Policy recommendations identified how PHIs can align with SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), thus contributing to global sustainability transitions.