Chapter Two: Theoretical Overview of Sustainable Urban Governance and Planning

This chapter offers an insightful exploration of sustainable urban governance and planning (SUG&P) within the broader framework of sustainable urban transformation (SUT). It begins by detailing the historical transition from predominantly rural societies to urban-centric development, drawing attention to a striking United Nations forecast by 2050, about 70% of the world’s population is expected to be urban dwellers, with a considerable concentration in developing nations. Delving deeper, the chapter identifies and discusses three pivotal elements integral to the realization of sustainable urban development: robust and effective local governance coupled with efficient urban management; the crucial role of community engagement and participation; and the importance of fostering a synergistic collaborative governance framework that integrates public, civic, and private sectors. It spotlights Roger’s (1997) identification of five essential attributes of a sustainable, habitable city: justice, aesthetic appeal, creativity, ecological harmony, and facilitation of interaction and mobility. The discourse then shifts to quality of life (QoL) indicators and the Mercer Quality of Living model, providing a nuanced perspective on both subjective and objective measures of urban living standards. The chapter introduces the concept of the urban ecosystem, emphasizing the need for a balanced interplay between the provisioning of natural services and the demands of urban life. It presents the Extended Urban Metabolism Model (EUMM), which intricately connects resource inflows, urban system functionalities, environmental health, and efficient waste management as cornerstones of urban sustainability. Furthermore, the chapter explores the interplay between societal transformation and urbanization, examining a range of theoretical frameworks and models.