Shorter summary literature planning
for sustainable cities
1. Introduction to the course, Urban Sustainability, and
Urban Planning
1. Næss, P. (2001). Urban Planning and Sustainable Development. European Planning Studies,
9(4), 503–524. https://doi.org/10.1080/713666490
What is sustainable development?
Sustainable development means meeting people's needs today without preventing
future generations from meeting their own needs. This requires protecting the
environment while ensuring that everyone has access to basic needs such as housing,
food, water and work.
Næss argues that sustainability has become a popular concept, but it is often used for
many different things. If every project is called sustainable, the concept loses its
meaning. Sustainability must therefore have a clear meaning and focus on real
environmental and social improvements.
Sustainability is also about fairness. Rich countries consume too many resources and
should reduce excessive consumption, while poorer countries may need more
resources to meet people's basic needs.
What makes urban planning sustainable?
Urban planning affects how much energy people use, how they travel, where buildings
are constructed and how much nature is protected. According to Næss, sustainable
planning should:
• Reduce energy use, pollution and CO₂ emissions.
• Protect nature, biodiversity and agricultural land.
• Use fewer harmful materials and reduce waste through recycling and reuse.
• Create healthy cities with clean air, good housing and accessible green spaces.
Cities must also consider their impact outside their own borders. A city may appear
sustainable but still cause environmental damage through the production of goods in
other countries.
,Why are compact cities more sustainable?
Næss generally supports the compact city. In compact cities, people live closer to work,
shops and services. This reduces travel distances and makes walking, cycling and
public transport easier. Apartments and terraced houses also usually use less energy
than detached houses.
Compact development can prevent urban sprawl, which happens when cities expand
into surrounding natural areas and farmland. However, cities still need green spaces for
people's health and biodiversity.
Why are efficiency and recycling not enough?
More efficient buildings and recycling are important, but they do not automatically make
society sustainable. If people continue building larger homes and consuming more
products, total resource use can remain too high.
Næss therefore argues that sustainability requires both more efficient resource use and
lower excessive consumption. Resources should be used to improve the living
conditions of people whose basic needs are not met, rather than continually increasing
the luxury and consumption of people who already have enough.
How should sustainable planning work?
Næss argues that neither free markets nor small changes to existing policies are
sufficient. Markets often ignore environmental damage, while small policy changes may
not solve serious environmental problems.
Planning needs clear environmental goals and strong public authorities. At the same
time, citizens should be involved in decisions because they have valuable local
knowledge and should be able to influence their living environment.
However, participation and discussion alone are not enough. People have different
interests, and powerful businesses may oppose environmental policies that reduce their
profits. Planners must therefore recognise power differences, protect weaker groups
and work with people and organisations that support sustainability.
,2. Purvis, B., Mao, Y. & Robinson, D. Three pillars of sustainability: in search of conceptual
origins. Sustain Sci 14, 681–695 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-018-0627-5
What are the three pillars of sustainability?
Sustainability is often explained through three pillars:
• Environmental: Protect nature, resources and ecosystems.
• Social: Improve human well-being, equality and living conditions.
• Economic: Support economic activity, jobs and development.
The three pillars are often shown as three overlapping circles. The idea is that
sustainability requires all three dimensions to be considered together.
However, Purvis, Mao and Robinson argue that the model is popular but unclear. There is
no general agreement about what each pillar means or how they should be combined
when their goals conflict.
Where did the model come from?
The idea developed over time. Environmental concerns grew because economic growth
caused pollution and resource depletion. Social concerns grew because economic
growth did not automatically solve poverty and inequality.
The Brundtland Report (1987) made sustainable development internationally popular. It
argued that present needs should be met without compromising the needs of future
generations.
Over time, sustainability became associated with the idea that economic growth, social
progress and environmental protection could all be achieved together.
The authors explain that the three-pillar model did not come from one single source. It
developed through different publications and international discussions. Barbier's work
in 1987 presented an early version using three overlapping circles, while the 1992 Rio
Summit helped promote the integration of economic, social and environmental goals.
The model later became popular in business through the Triple Bottom Line, often
described as people, planet and profit.
The main problem with the three pillars
The biggest problem is that the model does not explain how to deal with conflicts
between the pillars.
For example, building new housing can create jobs and provide homes, but it can also
destroy green space. A planning decision may therefore support economic and social
goals while harming the environment.
, The model does not tell planners which goal should have priority in such situations.
Another problem is the assumption that economic growth can always support social
and environmental progress. Economic growth does not automatically reduce inequality
or protect nature. It can also increase resource use and environmental damage.
The authors argue that presenting all three pillars as equally compatible can hide these
conflicts. In reality, decisions about sustainability involve political choices, different
values and competing interests.
for sustainable cities
1. Introduction to the course, Urban Sustainability, and
Urban Planning
1. Næss, P. (2001). Urban Planning and Sustainable Development. European Planning Studies,
9(4), 503–524. https://doi.org/10.1080/713666490
What is sustainable development?
Sustainable development means meeting people's needs today without preventing
future generations from meeting their own needs. This requires protecting the
environment while ensuring that everyone has access to basic needs such as housing,
food, water and work.
Næss argues that sustainability has become a popular concept, but it is often used for
many different things. If every project is called sustainable, the concept loses its
meaning. Sustainability must therefore have a clear meaning and focus on real
environmental and social improvements.
Sustainability is also about fairness. Rich countries consume too many resources and
should reduce excessive consumption, while poorer countries may need more
resources to meet people's basic needs.
What makes urban planning sustainable?
Urban planning affects how much energy people use, how they travel, where buildings
are constructed and how much nature is protected. According to Næss, sustainable
planning should:
• Reduce energy use, pollution and CO₂ emissions.
• Protect nature, biodiversity and agricultural land.
• Use fewer harmful materials and reduce waste through recycling and reuse.
• Create healthy cities with clean air, good housing and accessible green spaces.
Cities must also consider their impact outside their own borders. A city may appear
sustainable but still cause environmental damage through the production of goods in
other countries.
,Why are compact cities more sustainable?
Næss generally supports the compact city. In compact cities, people live closer to work,
shops and services. This reduces travel distances and makes walking, cycling and
public transport easier. Apartments and terraced houses also usually use less energy
than detached houses.
Compact development can prevent urban sprawl, which happens when cities expand
into surrounding natural areas and farmland. However, cities still need green spaces for
people's health and biodiversity.
Why are efficiency and recycling not enough?
More efficient buildings and recycling are important, but they do not automatically make
society sustainable. If people continue building larger homes and consuming more
products, total resource use can remain too high.
Næss therefore argues that sustainability requires both more efficient resource use and
lower excessive consumption. Resources should be used to improve the living
conditions of people whose basic needs are not met, rather than continually increasing
the luxury and consumption of people who already have enough.
How should sustainable planning work?
Næss argues that neither free markets nor small changes to existing policies are
sufficient. Markets often ignore environmental damage, while small policy changes may
not solve serious environmental problems.
Planning needs clear environmental goals and strong public authorities. At the same
time, citizens should be involved in decisions because they have valuable local
knowledge and should be able to influence their living environment.
However, participation and discussion alone are not enough. People have different
interests, and powerful businesses may oppose environmental policies that reduce their
profits. Planners must therefore recognise power differences, protect weaker groups
and work with people and organisations that support sustainability.
,2. Purvis, B., Mao, Y. & Robinson, D. Three pillars of sustainability: in search of conceptual
origins. Sustain Sci 14, 681–695 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-018-0627-5
What are the three pillars of sustainability?
Sustainability is often explained through three pillars:
• Environmental: Protect nature, resources and ecosystems.
• Social: Improve human well-being, equality and living conditions.
• Economic: Support economic activity, jobs and development.
The three pillars are often shown as three overlapping circles. The idea is that
sustainability requires all three dimensions to be considered together.
However, Purvis, Mao and Robinson argue that the model is popular but unclear. There is
no general agreement about what each pillar means or how they should be combined
when their goals conflict.
Where did the model come from?
The idea developed over time. Environmental concerns grew because economic growth
caused pollution and resource depletion. Social concerns grew because economic
growth did not automatically solve poverty and inequality.
The Brundtland Report (1987) made sustainable development internationally popular. It
argued that present needs should be met without compromising the needs of future
generations.
Over time, sustainability became associated with the idea that economic growth, social
progress and environmental protection could all be achieved together.
The authors explain that the three-pillar model did not come from one single source. It
developed through different publications and international discussions. Barbier's work
in 1987 presented an early version using three overlapping circles, while the 1992 Rio
Summit helped promote the integration of economic, social and environmental goals.
The model later became popular in business through the Triple Bottom Line, often
described as people, planet and profit.
The main problem with the three pillars
The biggest problem is that the model does not explain how to deal with conflicts
between the pillars.
For example, building new housing can create jobs and provide homes, but it can also
destroy green space. A planning decision may therefore support economic and social
goals while harming the environment.
, The model does not tell planners which goal should have priority in such situations.
Another problem is the assumption that economic growth can always support social
and environmental progress. Economic growth does not automatically reduce inequality
or protect nature. It can also increase resource use and environmental damage.
The authors argue that presenting all three pillars as equally compatible can hide these
conflicts. In reality, decisions about sustainability involve political choices, different
values and competing interests.
