While the context of rapid urbanization and increasing challenges faced by cities worldwide, the role of Human Resource Management (HRM) in fostering sustainable urban development has garnered significant attention. This paper presents a comprehensive review of existing literature on HRM strategies aimed at building sustainable cities. Thus, a detailed analysis of the prominent findings of studies on “human resource management” and “sustainable cities” in Google Scholar, Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus databases was presented by a literature review. The review synthesizes insights from a range of sources including academic articles to identify key themes, trends, and best practices in HRM for urban sustainability and reveals that effective HRM strategies play a crucial role in addressing urban challenges such as population growth, environmental sustainability, social inclusion, and economic resilience. Furthermore, the review highlights the importance of aligning HRM strategies with broader urban development goals and policy frameworks and emphasizes the need for collaboration among government agencies, businesses, academia, and civil society to implement integrated HRM approaches that promote sustainable urban growth and enhance the quality of life for urban residents. The findings from this literature review also contribute to a deeper understanding of the role of HRM in building sustainable cities. Therefore, this paper concludes with recommendations for future research directions and practical implications for human resource (HR) professionals, policy makers, and urban planners seeking to create more sustainable urban environment.