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Visualization of a City Sustainability Index (CSI): Towards Transdisciplinary Approaches Involving Multiple Stakeholders

Author

Listed:
  • Koichiro Mori

    (International Center, Shiga University, 1-1-1 Banba, Hikone, Shiga 522-8522, Japan)

  • Toyonobu Fujii

    (Oceanlab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Main Street, Newburgh, Aberdeenshire AB41 6AA, UK
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Tsuguta Yamashita

    (Department of Sociology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Letters, Yoshida Honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Yutaka Mimura

    (Research Institute for Humanity and Nature, 457-4 Motoyama, Kamigamo, Kita-ku, Kyoto 603-8047, Japan
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Yuta Uchiyama

    (Institute of Human and Social Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kakuma, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Kengo Hayashi

    (Research Institute for Humanity and Nature, 457-4 Motoyama, Kamigamo, Kita-ku, Kyoto 603-8047, Japan
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

Abstract

We have developed a visualized 3-D model of a City Sustainability Index (CSI) based on our original concept of city sustainability in which a sustainable city is defined as one that maximizes socio-economic benefits while meeting constraint conditions of the environment and socio-economic equity on a permanent basis. The CSI is based on constraint and maximization indicators. Constraint indicators assess whether a city meets the necessary minimum conditions for city sustainability. Maximization indicators measure the benefits that a city generates in socio-economic aspects. When used in the policy-making process, the choice of constraint indicators should be implemented using a top-down approach. In contrast, a bottom-up approach is more suitable for defining maximization indicators because this technique involves multiple stakeholders (in a transdisciplinary approach). Using different materials of various colors, shapes, sizes, we designed and constructed the visualized physical model of the CSI to help people evaluate and compare the performance of different cities in terms of sustainability. The visualized model of the CSI can convey complicated information in a simple and straightforward manner to diverse stakeholders so that the sustainability analysis can be understood intuitively by ordinary citizens as well as experts. Thus, the CSI model helps stakeholders to develop critical thinking about city sustainability and enables policymakers to make informed decisions for sustainability through a transdisciplinary approach.

Suggested Citation

  • Koichiro Mori & Toyonobu Fujii & Tsuguta Yamashita & Yutaka Mimura & Yuta Uchiyama & Kengo Hayashi, 2015. "Visualization of a City Sustainability Index (CSI): Towards Transdisciplinary Approaches Involving Multiple Stakeholders," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(9), pages 1-23, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:7:y:2015:i:9:p:12402-12424:d:55535
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Kılkış, Şiir, 2019. "Benchmarking the sustainability of urban energy, water and environment systems and envisioning a cross-sectoral scenario for the future," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 529-545.
    4. Víctor-Raúl López-Ruiz & José-Luis Alfaro-Navarro & Domingo Nevado-Peña, 2019. "An Intellectual Capital Approach to Citizens’ Quality of Life in Sustainable Cities: A Focus on Europe," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(21), pages 1-16, October.
    5. Nataša Rebernik & Marek Szajczyk & Alfonso Bahillo & Barbara Goličnik Marušić, 2020. "Measuring Disability Inclusion Performance in Cities Using Disability Inclusion Evaluation Tool (DIETool)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-25, February.
    6. Akito Kinoshita & Koichiro Mori & Ernan Rustiadi & Shin Muramatsu & Hironori Kato, 2019. "Effectiveness of Incorporating the Concept of City Sustainability into Sustainability Education Programs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(17), pages 1-23, August.
    7. Stelios Grafakos & Alberto Gianoli & Alexandra Tsatsou, 2016. "Towards the Development of an Integrated Sustainability and Resilience Benefits Assessment Framework of Urban Green Growth Interventions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(5), pages 1-33, May.
    8. Bastida-Molina, Paula & Hurtado-Pérez, Elías & Moros Gómez, María Cristina & Cárcel-Carrasco, Javier & Pérez-Navarro, Ángel, 2022. "Energy sustainability evolution in the Mediterranean countries and synergies from a global energy scenario for the area," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 252(C).
    9. Liselotte Schebek & Thomas Lützkendorf, 2022. "Assessing Resource Efficiency of City Neighbourhoods: A Methodological Framework for Structuring and Practical Application of Indicators in Urban Planning," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-21, June.
    10. Hung-Wei Chen & Fu-Ren Lin, 2018. "Evolving Obligatory Passage Points to Sustain Service Systems: The Case of Traditional Market Revitalization in Hsinchu City, Taiwan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-25, July.
    11. Niki-Artemis Spyridaki & Nikos Kleanthis & Dimitra Tzani & Mia Dragović Matosović & Alexandros Flamos, 2020. "A City Capability Assessment Framework Focusing on Planning, Financing, and Implementing Sustainable Energy Projects," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-23, October.
    12. Nammi Kim & Seungwoo Yang, 2021. "Characteristics of Conceptually Related Smart Cities (CRSCs) Services from the Perspective of Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-48, March.
    13. Juste Rajaonson & Georges A. Tanguay, 2019. "Urban Sustainability Indicators from a Regional Perspective: Lessons from the Montreal Metropolitan Area," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 141(3), pages 985-1005, February.
    14. José-Luis Alfaro-Navarro & Víctor-Raúl López-Ruiz & Domingo Nevado Peña, 2017. "A New Sustainability City Index Based on Intellectual Capital Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(5), pages 1-13, May.
    15. Beatriz Valcárcel-Aguiar & Pilar Murias, 2019. "Evaluation and Management of Urban Liveability: A Goal Programming Based Composite Indicator," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 142(2), pages 689-712, April.
    16. Melita Rozman Cafuta, 2015. "Open Space Evaluation Methodology and Three Dimensional Evaluation Model as a Base for Sustainable Development Tracking," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(10), pages 1-23, October.
    17. Oluwole Soyinka & Yusuf A. Adenle & Mohammed Abdul-Rahman, 2021. "Urban informality and sustainable design of public space facilities: a case study of Hong Kong SAR of China in 2018," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(11), pages 16560-16587, November.
    18. Nataša Šprah & Mitja Košir, 2019. "Daylight Provision Requirements According to EN 17037 as a Restriction for Sustainable Urban Planning of Residential Developments," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-22, December.
    19. Beatriz Valcárcel-Aguiar & Pilar Murias & David Rodríguez-González, 2018. "Sustainable Urban Liveability: A Practical Proposal Based on a Composite Indicator," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-18, December.

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