Sustainable urban development seamlessly integrated into a natural landscape

Sustainable Cities: Can Territorial Planning Save Our Future?

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Kai Mendoza in Climate & Environment July 2025 • 5 min read.

"Unlocking sustainability through smart spatial strategies"


In an era defined by rapid urbanization and increasing environmental concerns, the concept of sustainable development has moved to the forefront of global discussions. The United Nations has highlighted seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with sustainability as a core theme. Amidst the current socio-productive model, our ability to foster more sustainable territories is crucial. These territories must prioritize the well-being of communities around the world, underscoring the importance of thoughtful territorial development planning.

Sustainable Territorial Planning (STP) calls for a re-evaluation of our development approaches. This article emphasizes the crucial role of territorial planning as an essential tool for implementing sustainable development strategies. By effectively utilizing STP, we can improve the sustainability of urban and metropolitan regions. The research reflects on this need and advances the definition of the main criteria to achieve territorial sustainability at regional and local scales.

This involves a shift towards integrating social, environmental, and economic considerations into territorial policies. Through careful analysis and strategic action, we can pave the way for a future where development complements the environment and enhances the quality of life for all.

The Challenge of Sustainable Development

Sustainable urban development seamlessly integrated into a natural landscape

The pursuit of what has come to be known as Sustainable Development (DS) is presented by numerous authors as one of the most important challenges to save the Earth from the ills that afflict it. These ills are caused, and above all accelerated, by human action on the Planet, and especially on its natural or ecological system (Ramonet, 2003). The loss of Biodiversity, climate alterations, atmospheric pollution, the intensification of desertification processes, and the increase in human poverty are some of these ills that affect it and can provoke its transformation, altering, therefore, the current conditions of life.

The term sustainability has to do with guaranteeing the continuity over time of the structural and functional characteristics of the values and attributes of that to which it refers, whether it is a system, a resource, or an activity (Gómez Orea, 2007). Etymologically, the word contains interesting and important connotations, as it can refer to the fact of supporting a desired state or, on the contrary, supporting an undesired state. In general terms, when referring to something that is sustainable, it is intended to identify an action or process that is capable of being maintained or defended. At the same time, if it is used as a more active element, it suggests a disposition towards something, which transmits a prescriptive message that something must be done, and that in fact can be done (Redclift, 2000).

  • Rights: Guaranteeing the rights of all people to a healthy and adequate environment.
  • Conservation: Protecting and using environmental resources for current and future generations.
  • Ecosystems: Maintaining essential ecological processes and preserving biological diversity.
  • Sustainability: Implementing sustainable practices in the management of natural resources and ecosystems.
  • Assessment: Conducting thorough environmental impact assessments for proposed activities.
  • Collaboration: Integrating conservation into development planning and execution.
  • Support: Providing assistance to developing countries in their environmental protection efforts.
  • Transboundary: Ensuring the equitable and reasonable use of shared natural resources.
  • Environmental Assessment: Requiring environmental assessments for activities that may have significant transboundary impacts.
In essence, DS clarifies itself through a triple dimension: the economic, the social, and the environmental or ecological (Douglas Muschett, 1999; Lee Cambell and Heck, 1999; Gómez Orea 2007). The space occupied by sustainability, within this triple dimension, is precisely the contact zone where the three overlap simultaneously (observe Figure 1). If activities or lines of growth fall outside this overlap space, they would be situated in areas of non-sustainable development. It can be argued that the contact zone represents the equilibrium point where economic growth, social progress, and respect for the environment can be combined.

Final Thoughts: A Sustainable Future

Sustainable Territorial Planning stands as a critical approach for our societies to meet the challenge of Sustainable Development. By focusing on the scales in which urban planning and territorial organization meet, it helps the overall structure of future growth. Prioritizing the understanding of territory as a system and protecting free space are critical steps.

The path forward requires a commitment to compact city models and an end to urban fragmentation. The integration of residential areas with functional services to facilitate spatial integration and reduce urban mobility are equally critical.

Through these strategies, combined with good governance and community involvement, Sustainable Territorial Planning provides a valuable opportunity to promote environmental responsibility and create a more sustainable and resilient world.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1590/2236-9996.2016-3706, Alternate LINK

Title: Planeamiento Territorial Sostenible: Un Reto Para El Futuro De Nuestras Sociedades; Criterios Aplicados

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: Cadernos Metrópole

Publisher: FapUNIFESP (SciELO)

Authors: Adrián Ferrandis Martínez, Joan Noguera Tur

Published: 2016-12-01

Everything You Need To Know

1

What are the primary global challenges that Sustainable Development aims to address?

Sustainable Development (DS) is a critical global challenge, primarily due to human actions impacting the planet, such as the loss of Biodiversity, climate alterations, atmospheric pollution, and increased human poverty. These issues threaten the current conditions of life. The pursuit of DS aims to mitigate these negative impacts, fostering a more sustainable future for everyone.

2

How does Sustainable Territorial Planning contribute to achieving sustainable development?

Sustainable Territorial Planning (STP) is a vital approach for our societies to achieve Sustainable Development. STP emphasizes integrating social, environmental, and economic considerations into territorial policies, using careful analysis and strategic action. By effectively utilizing STP, we can improve the sustainability of urban and metropolitan regions, focusing on understanding the territory as a system and protecting free space.

3

What are the key dimensions of Sustainable Development, and why are they important?

The main components of Sustainable Development are economic, social, and environmental considerations. These elements intersect in the contact zone, which represents an equilibrium point. Activities outside this zone fall under non-sustainable development. The balance in this area is crucial for integrating economic growth, social progress, and environmental respect.

4

What does the term "sustainability" actually mean in this context?

The term sustainability means guaranteeing the continuity over time of the structural and functional characteristics of the values and attributes of that to which it refers. This includes ensuring the rights of all people to a healthy environment, protecting environmental resources for current and future generations, maintaining essential ecological processes, implementing sustainable practices, conducting environmental assessments, and integrating conservation into development planning.

5

Why is Sustainable Territorial Planning considered so important for the future?

Sustainable Territorial Planning is significant because it directly addresses the challenges of Sustainable Development. It focuses on the scales where urban planning and territorial organization meet, which aids the structure of future growth. By prioritizing the understanding of the territory as a system, it promotes a future where development complements the environment and enhances the quality of life for all.

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