A multi-dimensional energy-based analysis of neighbourhood sustainability assessment tools: are institutional indicators really missing?

Abstract

Neighbourhood Sustainability Assessment Tools (NSATs) have become the modern day template for urban planners to achieve sustainable development in their communities, districts and cities. The popularity of the pioneering NSATs led to the creation of other tools in different regions. Also, with the popularity and replication of these tools came the replication of their limitations. The most notable limitation and motivation for this study is the inadequate recognition of the complexities of institutional dimensions (i.e. policies, laws and regulation) that contribute to mainstreaming and operationalising sustainable neighbourhood development. Studies that have investigated NSATs generally argue lack of coverage of the institutional dimension. However, there has been little consistent and explicit mention of the precise indicators and criteria sought out to make this claim. Also, there is a clear confusion as to what institutional indicators actually are, what characteristics they possess and how best they can be identified. This study, via the lens of energy-based indicators, expands on the role of the institutional indicator and its associated dimensions.This study also utilises a multi-dimensional approach to indicator analysis and draws out current trend or characteristics of institutional indicators in 15 currently existing NSATs. The results show a limited view on the classification of institutional indicators. The study also demonstrates that there are more institutional indicators than previously reported in prior studies. Additionally, this study confirms that an institutional indicator cannot be a single entity or identity but rather it must operate under the linkage of the other dimensions (environment, social and economic). Finally, this study, based on the analysis of 15 NSATs provides a definition of what can be considered an institutional indicator. In conclusion, it is recommended that future development of NSATs should ensure a constant institutional link to indicators, as this could provide an enhanced alternative to the development of NSATs, particularly for regions that are looking into developing their own assessment tools.

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