Rainwater and atmospheric water harvesting systems as sustainable strategies for housing and architecture a systematic review

Abstract

This study aims to systematically examine rainwater harvesting and atmospheric water harvesting systems applied to housing architecture, with the objective of identifying their technological characteristics, applications, and contributions to sustainable water management. A systematic literature review was conducted using advanced search algorithms applied to Scopus, Ebsco Essential, and MDPI databases, following the PRISMA methodology to ensure transparency and reproducibility. Initially, 236 scientific publications were identified, of which 43 studies were selected for in-depth analysis. The results indicate that rainwater and atmospheric water harvesting technologies significantly enhance water resilience in both urban and rural housing, particularly in regions affected by water scarcity and climate variability. The analysis identifies roof-based collection systems, emerging atmospheric water technologies, and digital tools such as IoT-based monitoring as recurrent themes, along with their integration into sustainable and heritage-sensitive architectural contexts. This study contributes by combining a systematic review with a bibliometric analysis to map consolidated and emerging research trends in domestic water harvesting systems. The findings provide a structured framework to support future research and decision-making and to inform discussions related to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).