Urban Sustainability: From Theory Influences to Practical Agendas

Abstract

Achieving sustainability goals is complex and requires policy coherence; yet effective action for structural change has been elusive partly because global issues must be primarily addressed locally. Agreements such as the UN Global Goals and the New Urban Agenda and current pressing problems such as the 2020 pandemic demonstrate that it is impossible to tackle global socio-ecological system issues without addressing urban vulnerabilities and consumption models. This article presents a critical review of theoretical roots, conceptual influences, major debates, limitations, and current trends in community and urban sustainability. Broader sustainability theories and intellectual traditions of the last two centuries have shaped current urban agendas, most of which however do not cater to a systemic approach and may lead to policies that do not integrate all three pillars of sustainability. While cities are challenged by the difficulties of addressing multiple objectives, meaningfully engaging citizens, and consistently tracking progress, the limitations of urban sustainability application can lead to lost opportunities, lack of credibility, and increased public skepticism. Fundamental changes are required in local decision-making and citizen mobilization to move from current piecemeal approaches towards long-lasting urban sustainability and successful implementation of global goals.

Sustainability planning, implementation, and assessment in cities: how can productivity enhance these processes?

“…Participant perceptions re ect the reality and complexity of urban sustainability decision-making processes in Canada and elsewhere, as described in the literature [21,57,65]. The disparities in interviewee responses about municipal capacity, sustainability interpretation, and progress assessment suggest that integrated decisions on principles, vision, and priorities need to precede decisions on implementation and assessment.…”

“…Guided by stronger sustainability approaches and global movements for equity, socio-ecological considerations are increasingly included in local decision-making through community-led action, social economy, community economic development, and participatory processes [18,19]. Nevertheless, cities still widely perceive SCD as an environmental and resource management framework; this has led to fragmented and siloed planning and implementation of goals that governments and citizens often consider con icting [12,13,20,21].…”

Globalization and COVID-19: The Role of Local and Regional Authorities In Context Of International Relations

“…Arguments in favour of collaborative innovation include the idea that multi-actor collaboration helps to produce a more precise and nuanced understanding of the problem at hand, bring forth a greater richness of ideas, stimulate mutual learning, facilitate negotiated risk management, build joint ownership over new and bold solutions, enable coordinated implementation and adaptation, and accelerate the diffusion of successful innovations [22]. Many local governments, particularly in cities with global outlook or narrative, turn to their national government and the private sector for partnerships in technology and innovation [23]. The pivotal role of digitalisation in emergency responses to the pandemic has pushed many cities to systematise the use of smart city tools more permanently, while staying alert and monitoring the risk of contagion [5].…”

A spatial model for assessment of urban vulnerability in the light of the UN New Urban Agenda guidelines: case study of Assiut City, Egypt

“…The goals guarantee a safe life and promotes well-being for all. Agreements such as the UN Global Goals and the New Urban Agenda and current pressing problems such as the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic proves that it is impossible to tackle socio-ecological system issues without considering urban vulnerability models (Spiliotopoulou and Roseland 2020 ; Kumar et al 2016 ; Saha et al 2020 ). Shula et al ( 2021 ) discussed the critical aspects of the COVID-19 for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).…”