What design concept emphasizes the integration of social, cultural, and commercial environments?

The design concept that emphasizes the integration of social, cultural, and commercial environments is known as Ekistics. This term, coined by the Greek architect Konstantin Doxiadis, refers to the study of human settlements and the relationships between the physical environment and human activities. Ekistics focuses on creating balanced and harmonious communities that consider various elements such as housing, public spaces, commercial facilities, and cultural institutions. The goal is to design environments that foster social interaction and connectivity for residents, thereby improving their quality of life.

In contrast, while Arcology combines architecture and ecology aiming for sustainable, self-sufficient communities, it may not inherently focus on the integration of diverse social and commercial environments as Ekistics does. The Neighbourhood unit is primarily a residential planning concept that emphasizes community and social structures but doesn't encompass the broader cultural and commercial integration. Megalopolis refers to a large urban area with a high population density, emphasizing scale rather than the integrated design of environments. Thus, Ekistics stands out as the most holistic approach for the integration of these various aspects.