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Developing an Urban Environment Examination System by Incorporating Construction, Economic, Environmental, Cultural and Development Dimensions

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  • Shaoyang Ren

    (School of Art, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China)

  • Yinan Li

    (School of Art, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China)

  • Zhen Peng

    (School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao 266033, China)

  • Mingqiang Yin

    (Institute for Smart City of Chongqing University in Liyang, Chongqing University, Liyang 213300, China
    Centre for Climate-Resilient and Low-Carbon Cities, School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Key Laboratory of New Technology for Construction of Cities in Mountain Area, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400045, China)

  • Xiao Liu

    (School of Architecture, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
    State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Building and Urban Science, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, China)

Abstract

The sustainable development goals (SDGs) suggest sustainable cities and communities (Goal 11) as inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable human settlements. However, existing efforts in urban sustainability have mainly focused on ecological and environmental sustainability, with little attention paid to development, economic, and cultural sustainability. Moreover, a lack of adaptability is a barrier to cross-nation or cross-region implementation of many urban sustainability frameworks due to diverse urban contexts. Furthermore, most studies have developed sustainability frameworks and guides only for one-time assessments and the progress of urban sustainability has been neglected. Improving urban sustainability by considering multiple dimensions and local adaptability through dynamic assessment remains a question. Therefore, this study aims to develop an urban environment examination system (UEES) framework that includes construction, economy and industry, environment and resource, municipal and cultural facilities, and development potential dimensions. The UEES framework consists of 31 indicators associated with critical information (i.e., reported by the statistical yearbooks) from different levels of government in China. An annual update of statistical data ensures the availability of dynamic data, allowing urban managers and decision makers to regularly track urban sustainability. Furthermore, the UEES framework was applied to Qingdao, an urbanizing city in China, to examine the feasibility of the UEES framework. The results indicate that well-urbanized districts could perform better in terms of overall sustainability (e.g., Shinan, Shibei, Laoshan, Chengyang), while districts in suburban and outer suburban areas had lower urban sustainability levels. However, well-urbanized districts could not perform better in all dimensions than suburban and outer suburban districts. Moreover, the transition from less-urbanized to well-urbanized districts could lead to environmental deterioration and economy deceleration (if industries are not well upgraded), but culture and development sustainability can be improved. Overall, this study provides a methodological framework that prioritizes comprehensiveness and local adaptability to perform regular urban environment examinations for urban sustainability in China and provides a reference for urban sustainability improvement by identifying aspects with low scores in Qingdao, China.

Suggested Citation

  • Shaoyang Ren & Yinan Li & Zhen Peng & Mingqiang Yin & Xiao Liu, 2024. "Developing an Urban Environment Examination System by Incorporating Construction, Economic, Environmental, Cultural and Development Dimensions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-27, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:7:p:3065-:d:1371293
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    References listed on IDEAS

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