Chapter Six: Gaps in Sustainable Urban Governance and Planning Research

This chapter delves into the intricate concepts and applications of sustainable urban governance and planning (SUG&P), identifying gaps in current literature and proposing a holistic framework for effective sustainable urban transformation. The chapter identifies two significant gaps in existing literature: historical antecedents and stakeholder management. It emphasizes the importance of understanding a city’s historical economic, social, and environmental development to inform future sustainable urban planning and governance. The chapter highlights the crucial role of stakeholder management in urban governance and planning. It argues for the inclusion of diverse stakeholder perspectives and needs in the development of sustainable urban strategies. This approach is seen as essential to address the multifaceted challenges of urban transformation, ensuring that planning and governance initiatives are inclusive, equitable, and effective. The proposed combined framework for SUG&P aims to bridge the identified gaps by integrating governance and planning criteria and indicators for sustainable urban transformation. It suggests a comprehensive approach that encompasses various aspects of urban sustainability, from leadership and governance to environmental management and cultural considerations. In essence, this chapter contributes a novel perspective to the field of sustainable urban development, proposing a unified framework that melds historical insights and stakeholder management into urban governance and planning. This framework aims to guide cities, especially in developing countries, towards a more sustainable, inclusive, and equitable future.