Framework For Sustainable Cities Research Articles

Sustainable cities and communities assessment using the DARIA-TOPSIS method

Effective evaluation of cities’ and communities’ sustainability is important for sustainable development. From a methodological point of view, Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) methods proved their usability in the sustainability evaluation domain. Nevertheless, the process of building a model in the classical MCDA paradigm is based on a single set of input data. Therefore, it may lead to oversimplification, especially in the domain of sustainability. Moreover, in addition to the current assessment, it is also important to know the dynamics of sustainability change over time. Therefore, this paper proposes an innovative sustainability assessment method that integrates the MCDA approach with the variability of the alternatives’ performance measurement called Data vARIability Assessment Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (the DARIA-TOPSIS method). This method was used to assess sustainable cities and communities in 26 European countries. Time-based analyses conducted using the DARIA-TOPSIS method for aggregated data (countries), individual sustainability dimensions, and alternatives proved our new approach’s usefulness, suitability, and effectiveness in sustainable cities and society domain. • A new MCDA method named the DARIA-TOPSIS. • A DARIA-TOPSIS based framework for sustainable cities and communities assessment. • The practical problem of sustainable cities and communities assessment.

Mapping sustainability and circular economy in cities: Methodological framework from europe to the Spanish case

Life in cities is accelerating towards a future in which they must be sustainable, healthy and resilient and to which they must add the circular economy (CE) as a new paradigm of sustainability. There is great interest in the use of indicators to assess urban sustainability, but no common solution is recognized due to the diversity of approaches and opinions. This article addresses this problem by proposing a methodological framework based on official tools in use, such as the European Reference Framework for Sustainable Cities (RFSC), the Urban Agendas and the CE strategies adopted by each country in the EU. This framework is intended to homogenize and simplify the existing world of sustainability and CE indicators in cities and, at the same time, reflects the complexity of the multi-conceptual, multi-level, multi-scope and multi-scale nature of the subject under study. This framework is developed in three phases to study and select the reference sources to create a map with a holistic and simplified approach, supported by a previous phase in which the specific environment of each territory was explored. In turn, the multi-scope implementation is carried out for Europe and Spain as a case study for testing purposes, resulting in a sustainability and CE map for Spanish cities. The methodological framework has relevance for a diversity of geographical areas due to its replicability and its adaptation to each local case. This last quality allows the indicators to be contextualized and, thus, their implementation in cities, towns, or any human settlement in general.

Potential integration of blockchain technology into smart sustainable city (SSC) developments: a systematic review

PurposePrior literature lacks concrete and systematic review of the current blockchain application in smart sustainable city that covered to the full extent of various components. Thus, this study explores the integration of blockchain technology in making the city smarter, safer and sustainable.Design/methodology/approachThis study conducted a systematic literature review of 49 publications published globally. Data were analysed by coding of the publications whereby the codes were generated based on frequency of appearance (n).FindingsThe results showed that smart sustainable city could leverage blockchain technology in several areas such as governance, mobility, asset, utility, healthcare and logistics. Blockchain technology could also aid smart sustainable city in achieving social, environmental and economic sustainability.Originality/valueThis study proposes a smart sustainable city with blockchain technology framework: guiding city planners and policymakers by deploying blockchain that supports technology within smart sustainable city framework. This facilitates the digital transformation of a city towards smart and sustainable through the use of blockchain.

Sustainable City and Community Empowerment through the Implementation of Community-Based Monitoring: A Conceptual Approach

A sustainable city should promote the active participation of its civil society in urban planning and development of cities as the means to satisfy their needs. However, the absence of an appropriate platform has caused the public to lose interest and neglect the process of planning and development. This article attempts to develop a conceptual framework for sustainable cities and communities’ empowerment through the introduction of community-based monitoring as a means to increase community resilience and well-being. Community-based monitoring is designed to be instrumental in addressing environmental sustainability issues with public participation, where the community champions the environmental monitoring process for the decision making of planning and development of cities. The conceptual framework is expected to serve as an approach in driving the urban community towards attaining a more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable environment.

CRAFTING A THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK ON WASTE MANAGEMENT: A CASE FOR SUSTAINABLE CITIES

Theory formulation is crucial in search of a genuine panacea on Solid Waste Management Disposal. The study aims to catenate the different theories in Solid Waste Management to be able to re-craft a theoretical framework for Sustainable Cities. A qualitative research method was applied to consolidate and synthesize the fragmented theories on Urban Ecology, Policy Making, Eco-Innovations, Triple-Bottom Line, Waste Management and Sustainability. Formulation of policy and implementation instruments is vital tool to reinvent Waste Management Theory. Wastes disposal is a global phenomenon. As a result of theoretical analysis, urban transformation amidst economic development poses environmental degradation. Progress is inevitable, hence urban transformation occurs. The upward pressure from economic development creates downward pressure on environmental degradation. This condition when exhibited longer than necessary, stagnation proliferates and cities turned into an ecological sacrificial zone. To mitigate, formulation of policy instruments as government sticks must transpire. And at the end of the spectrum, regulations and policies embodied in the implementation instruments based on Waste Management Theory must be supported by ecoinnovations. These innovations inclusive of new ideas, new behavior, processes, and products in sync in a Waste Management Program measured through environmental preservation/restoration, economic resilience, and social wellbeing commonly called as the “Triple bottom-line”. Thereafter, the metamorphosis of cities from the ecological sacrifice zone into sustainable cities will transpire.

Smart and Sustainable City Framework with Smart Cultural Precinct as Case Study

The Smart and Sustainable City Framework (SSCF) redefines the idea of ‘Smart City’ to having “Smart Thinking, Planning and Design” as fundamental for smart and sustainable city development. The framework focuses on the core values of “Smart People, Smart Place, and Smart Planet” that helps shape the city through innovative solutions with technology embedded as an enabler to create a more liveable, walkable, resilient and happy cities for all. Six elements of the Smart and Sustainable City Framework are discussed, which consists of “Smart Living”, “Smart Environment”, “Smart Mobility”, “Smart Infrastructure”, “Smart Governance”, and Smart Economy”. Smart Cultural Precinct (SCP) with the Cultural Triangle at its core in Central, Hong Kong will be used as a case study to demonstrate the use of the SSCF, together with recommendations for Hong Kong and suggestions for the broader application of the SSCF to help shape better cities.

Battling the informal settlement challenge through sustainable city framework: experiences and lessons from Harare, Zimbabwe

ABSTRACTThis study examines the efficacy of adopting the sustainable city framework as an urban planning agenda with a view to addressing the dilemma of informal settlements in Harare, Zimbabwe. Data were collected through document review which was triangulated with key informant interviews. Thematic and content analysis was then used to analyse the data. The results of the study show that informal settlements in Harare are a result of a multiplicity of factors which include political economy, uncoordinated planning, invasion of land by land barons and inappropriate planning ideologies. The planning approaches to address informal settlements also tends to be too harsh at times when evictions are used though there are some instances where it is commendable-regularisation by UDC. The study recommends the adoption of planning approaches that conform to the local realities in Harare as well as considering the sustainable cities framework.

Planeamiento estratégico local y evaluación del Desarrollo Urbano Sostenible Integrado en ciudades medias

Las políticas de Desarrollo Urbano Sostenible Integrado actuales exigen una monitorización continuada y reiterativa de las iniciativas previstas o puestas en práctica. A este respecto, un consorcio de organismos europeos ha desarrollado y puesto a disposición de los planificadores una herramienta diseñada de manera específica para evaluar la visión integrada de planes, proyectos y acciones ideadas y/o desarrolladas en pequeñas, medianas o grandes ciudades de toda Europa: el Reference Framework for Sustainable Cities (RFSC). Este trabajo presenta los resultados del análisis comparado de dos planes estratégicos diseñados para Lucena, una ciudad media en el sur de Córdoba, España, desde la evaluación de su visión integrada. Las ciudades medias han sido consideradas desde las directrices europeas como la categoría urbana con mejores cualidades para la sostenibilidad urbano-territorial.

Smart city strategies “London-Stockholm-Vienna-Kyiv”: in search of common ground and best practices

The article aims to analyse the strategies of the selected progressive smart cities (London-Stockholm-Vienna) based on the methodology described below along with the strategy of the emerging smart city (Kyiv). The idea is to see which components of Smart Sustainable city Framework are covered by the “actual” strategies and how they are presented, which projects are currently underway and prioritised and how the evolvement process goes in different cities. We wanted to find common elements and approaches among the selected cities along with the best practices which can be taken into account by the cities when developing their own Smart City Strategy based on the experience already available.

Is urban green space per capita a valuable target to achieve cities’ sustainability goals? Romania as a case study

Urban green infrastructure is considered to be a key element in improving quality of life and creating an appropriate framework for sustainable cities. The most used quantitative indicator to assess urban green infrastructure is urban green space (UGS) per capita. This papeŕs aim is to analyze whether UGS is a valuable target to achieve cities’ sustainability goals. We used Romania as a case study, which should meet the target of 26m2 of UGS per inhabitants in all cities. Aerial images were used to extract the surface of the UGS categories for a sample of 38 cities in Romania. We compared our data with three other databases (National Institute of Statistics, Environmental Protection Agencies and Urban Atlas) to check for differences. To understand the contribution of geographic and socio-economic factors to the dynamic of the UGS per capita in Romania’s cities, we used a multiple linear regression. To identify differences between cities in terms of their proportions of UGS, multiple correspondence analysis was performed. We found significant differences between the surface of UGS reported by the administrative offices and that resulting from the spatial analysis. The process of reporting UGS data currently has methodological and perspective shortcomings. Moreover, the density of the built-up space, the proximity to major transport infrastructure, the cities’ founding period and the geomorphology criteria are important predictors for the UGS. The target of 26m2 of green area per inhabitant in all Romanian cities is not feasible and it should consider the cities’ characteristics, if you want to achieve sustainability goals. Urban green planning should focus more on the development of urban green infrastructure models that are adapted to each type of urban area.