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A Systematic Review of Sustainability Criteria in Infrastructure Development

Author

Listed:
  • Ieva Kustova

    (Faculty of Engineering Economics and Management, Riga Technical University, 6 Kalnciema, 1048 Riga, Latvia)

  • Justina Hudenko

    (Faculty of Engineering Economics and Management, Riga Technical University, 6 Kalnciema, 1048 Riga, Latvia
    JSC LatRailNet, 8 Perses, 1011 Riga, Latvia)

  • Natalja Lace

    (Faculty of Engineering Economics and Management, Riga Technical University, 6 Kalnciema, 1048 Riga, Latvia)

Abstract

This paper explores the immediate need of infrastructure stakeholders for practical guidance promoting sustainable infrastructure development that aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and European Union (EU) regulations. Despite overarching definitions, there is a noticeable absence of a uniform set of sustainability criteria, which delays the integration of sustainability principles into infrastructure planning, development, and operations. Through a targeted content analysis of the systematically selected literature from the Web of Science, this study seeks to clarify the characteristics of sustainable infrastructure. In the systematic review of 106 sources, carefully selected through a structured exclusion process described in the Open Science Framework register, the authors construct a comprehensive set of 43 sustainable infrastructure characteristics. Subsequently, these indicators undergo evaluation by sector experts through focus group discussions on the relevance of the proposed sustainable infrastructure criteria to local planning contexts. The focus group’s results demonstrate the adequacy of the proposed criteria, albeit with variations in perceived importance. Additionally, participants in the focus group suggest conducting field tests of the criteria in a municipal setting before scaling up to national policy frameworks.

Suggested Citation

  • Ieva Kustova & Justina Hudenko & Natalja Lace, 2024. "A Systematic Review of Sustainability Criteria in Infrastructure Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-20, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:11:p:4564-:d:1403535
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Suleiman, Lina, 2021. "Blue green infrastructure, from niche to mainstream: Challenges and opportunities for planning in Stockholm," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 166(C).
    3. Bin Xue & Bingsheng Liu & Tao Liang & Dong Zhao & Tao Wang & Xingbin Chen, 2022. "A heterogeneous decision criteria system evaluating sustainable infrastructure development: From the lens of multidisciplinary stakeholder engagement," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 30(4), pages 556-579, August.
    4. Michael Cuthill, 2010. "Strengthening the ‘social’ in sustainable development: Developing a conceptual framework for social sustainability in a rapid urban growth region in Australia," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 18(6), pages 362-373, November/.
    5. Marletto, Gerardo, 2019. "Who will drive the transition to self-driving? A socio-technical analysis of the future impact of automated vehicles," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 221-234.
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