The social- environmental sustainable city

Abstract

This research focuses on clarifying relations between environmental sustainability challenges in urban are¬as and social sustainability. Urban areas are prone to change and are currently undergoing rapid deve¬lopment because of population inflow and climate change. To manage and mitigate these challenges the physical structure and functioning of urban are¬as requires altering. The developments within this urban fabric of urban areas affect the social struc¬tures and functioning of neighbourhoods, this rese¬arch aims to clarify which relations, opportunities and risks exist between development related to en¬vironmental sustainability and social sustainability. This aim involves decreasing and managing negative relations and optimising opportunities and positive relations. The research identifies multiple connecti¬ons, indicators and conditions that define a high so¬cial sustainable standard. Most important conditions that were found contain spatial and organizational requirements such as flexibility, mixed-use, incre¬mental planning, shared economy, community based and inclusive development. If these conditions are maintained and applied correctly when implemen¬ting environmental sustainability interventions, high social sustainability can be realised. This is of course influenced by spatial context and existing social con¬ditions. Which according to a survey test-case con¬ducted in Amsterdam Nieuw-West are often connec¬ted to creating willingness and sense of urgency with locals. Overall, opportunities are present to simoul-taniously improve social sustainability and environ¬mental sustainability by targeted and adjusted im-plementation of spatial interventions and strategies.