Integrating material performance and pedestrian experience in Sri Lanka: a review of bio-based wood-clay composites in landscape architecture

Abstract

Assessing the urban potential of bio-based materials requires a transdisciplinary evaluation framework that bridges the mechanical durability of civil engineering with the sensory microclimatic and aesthetic goals of Landscape Architecture. Using a systematic literature review following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, this study synthesizes global knowledge on wood-clay composites (WCC) as low-impact pedestrian paving systems. Peer-reviewed studies published between 2010 and 2025 were analysed to synthesize knowledge on material properties and composition, mechanical and thermal behaviour, and aesthetic and sensory qualities. Findings indicate that appropriate incorporation of sawdust enhances porosity, reduces thermal conductivity, and maintains structural stability. Thereby offering a dual benefit of environmental adaptation and pedestrian comfort. Surface attributes such as texture, roughness, and visual coherence were identified as critical mediators of walking satisfaction and safety perception. Despite these advances, gaps persist in integrating multi-dimensional evaluation frameworks that link structural performance, microclimate adaptation, and human-centered design, particularly in real urban contexts. The study proposes a Multi-Dimensional Pedestrian Pavement Framework (MDPPF), emphasizing the interplay of material properties, thermal and hydrological behaviour, and sensory-aesthetic parameters to inform evidence-based landscape architectural decision-making. Future research should prioritize field-based validation, pedestrian-centered design interventions, and low-energy bio-based material stabilization strategies to foster paving systems that simultaneously advance walkability, urban thermal regulation, and aesthetic quality. This review contributes to a transdisciplinary understanding of sustainable paving, bridging technical feasibility with human experience and urban design excellence, and offers conceptual pathways for integrating bio-based composites into pedestrian-oriented landscapes.