Sustainable Development in Peri-Urban Regions: A Triangulation Analysis

Abstract

The recent tendency towards overpopulated cities has created an increased demand for the expansion of borders towards rural areas. This has modified the city–countryside relationship, giving rise to the concept of peri-urbanity. Based on these assumptions, this research paper aims to highlight the role and importance of sustainable development for the sustained progress of peri-urban regions, particularly by looking at international standards proposed by the United Nations. In other words, by encompassing the topics of sustainable and inclusive economic growth, decent work for all, and sustainable tourism, Goal 8 of the 17 Sustainable Goals proposed by United Nations represents a framework for the analysis of a peri-urban region located in Romania which is subject to massive development changes. This is realized by conducting extended qualitative research via the triangulation method, intended to compare and contrast three relevant perspectives: those of locals, those of professionals directly involved in the development of the area, and those presented in publicly available reports and statistics. The obtained results indicate factors such as air quality, water quality, space efficiency, and waste collection as being topics directly related to sustainability, while job availability and touristic development perspectives received lower interest. We stress that, despite the growth of urban areas and the migration of people from urban to peri-urban areas, more attention needs to be directed towards the protection of the environment. This is aimed at maintaining the authenticity of the region, specifically in terms of agricultural lands that can support the surrounding major cities. Our study will be relevant both to scholars and to actors in the domains of sustainability, sustainable economic growth, and tourism.