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Bridging the gaps between theory and practice: a service niche approach to urban sustainability indicators

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  • James Keirstead

    (Energy Futures Lab, Imperial College London, London, UK)

  • Matt Leach

    (Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, London, UK)

Abstract

Urban sustainability indicators play an important role in helping policy-makers ensure the continued success of their cities. However, a review of current practice suggests that priority is often given to the measurability and policy relevance of these metrics. Their analytical validity - i.e. their ability to act as meaningful representations of the urban system and thus inform appropriate policy responses - is less certain. An examination of London's USIs confirms this gap between theory and practice and identifies vague definitions of urban sustainability as part of the problem. A 'service niche' approach to indicator selection is therefore outlined, using pervasive goal-oriented urban services such as energy or water systems to guide the selection of policy-relevant interconnected metrics. Strategies for expanding such niches to wider assessments of urban sustainability are also discussed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

Suggested Citation

  • James Keirstead & Matt Leach, 2008. "Bridging the gaps between theory and practice: a service niche approach to urban sustainability indicators," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 16(5), pages 329-340.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:sustdv:v:16:y:2008:i:5:p:329-340
    DOI: 10.1002/sd.349
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Dandan Liu & Anmin Huang & Dewei Yang & Jianyi Lin & Jiahui Liu, 2021. "Niche-Driven Socio-Environmental Linkages and Regional Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-17, January.
    3. Brennan Lowery & John Dagevos & Ratana Chuenpagdee & Kelly Vodden, 2020. "Storytelling for sustainable development in rural communities: An alternative approach," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(6), pages 1813-1826, November.
    4. Purvis, Ben & Genovese, Andrea, 2023. "Better or different? A reflection on the suitability of indicator methods for a just transition to a circular economy," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 212(C).
    5. Roland Zinkernagel & James Evans & Lena Neij, 2018. "Applying the SDGs to Cities: Business as Usual or a New Dawn?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-18, September.
    6. Leslie Gillespie‐Marthaler & Katherine Nelson & Hiba Baroud & Mark Abkowitz, 2019. "Selecting Indicators for Assessing Community Sustainable Resilience," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 39(11), pages 2479-2498, November.
    7. Picheng Lee & Gary Kleinman & Chu‐hua Kuei, 2020. "Using text analytics to apprehend urban sustainability development," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(4), pages 897-921, July.
    8. G. Venkatesh, 2014. "A critique of the European Green City Index," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 57(3), pages 317-328, March.
    9. Małgorzata Stec & Mariola Grzebyk, 2018. "The implementation of the Strategy Europe 2020 objectives in European Union countries: the concept analysis and statistical evaluation," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 52(1), pages 119-133, January.
    10. Pasimeni, Maria Rita & Petrosillo, Irene & Aretano, Roberta & Semeraro, Teodoro & De Marco, Antonella & Zaccarelli, Nicola & Zurlini, Giovanni, 2014. "Scales, strategies and actions for effective energy planning: A review," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 165-174.

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