IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/wly/sustdv/v33y2025i6p8132-8150.html

Integrating Sustainable Development Into Urban Management: A Strategic Green City Index for Cities

Author

Listed:
  • Betul Hande Gursoy Haksevenler
  • Aydin Akpinar
  • Zeynep Sengul
  • Berfin Senik
  • Nur Hanife Orak
  • Engin Sorhun

Abstract

A growing interest exists in robust tools to evaluate urban environmental performance. This study introduces a Green City Index framework, designed to assess and compare the sustainability of urban districts. Istanbul, with its significant population density and economic influence, serves as the pilot city in Türkiye. The study included (i) examining existing city indices, (ii) identifying indicators for environmental quality (EQ), community welfare, and DS, (iii) collecting and producing relevant data, and (iv) establishing the Green City Index using the Analytic Hierarchy Process. The highest‐scoring district in Istanbul achieved only 59 out of 100, indicating that no district's environmental performance is sufficiently strong. Even in well‐managed districts, EQ was lacking. A significant relationship between the total index and other subcategories was observed. Recognizing index development as dynamic, this Green City Index provides decision‐makers with a tool for strategic urban management, helping them assess and improve sustainability efforts in line with long‐term goals.

Suggested Citation

  • Betul Hande Gursoy Haksevenler & Aydin Akpinar & Zeynep Sengul & Berfin Senik & Nur Hanife Orak & Engin Sorhun, 2025. "Integrating Sustainable Development Into Urban Management: A Strategic Green City Index for Cities," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(6), pages 8132-8150, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:sustdv:v:33:y:2025:i:6:p:8132-8150
    DOI: 10.1002/sd.70050
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.70050
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1002/sd.70050?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Berfin Şenik & Osman Uzun, 2021. "An assessment on size and site selection of emergency assembly points and temporary shelter areas in Düzce," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 105(2), pages 1587-1602, January.
    2. Himmet Karaman & Turan Erden, 2014. "Net earthquake hazard and elements at risk (NEaR) map creation for city of Istanbul via spatial multi-criteria decision analysis," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 73(2), pages 685-709, September.
    3. Vaidya, Omkarprasad S. & Kumar, Sushil, 2006. "Analytic hierarchy process: An overview of applications," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 169(1), pages 1-29, February.
    4. Hans-Werner Sinn, 2008. "Public policies against global warming: a supply side approach," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 15(4), pages 360-394, August.
    5. H. Spencer Banzhaf & Randall P. Walsh, 2008. "Do People Vote with Their Feet? An Empirical Test of Tiebout," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 98(3), pages 843-863, June.
    6. Jean Vasile Andrei & Dragoş Sebastian Cristea & Florian Marcel Nuţă & Ştefan‐Mihai Petrea & Alina Cristina Nuţă & Adriana Tiron Tudor & Luminita Chivu, 2024. "Exploring the causal relationship between PM 2.5 air pollution and urban areas economic welfare and social‐wellbeing: Evidence form 15 European capitals," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(5), pages 4567-4592, October.
    7. Fredriksson, Per G. & Millimet, Daniel L., 2002. "Strategic Interaction and the Determination of Environmental Policy across U.S. States," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 51(1), pages 101-122, January.
    8. Betul Hande Gursoy Haksevenler & Berfin Senik & Zeynep Sengul & Aydin Akpinar, 2025. "Assessing disaster vulnerability and proposing an adaptive disaster risk reduction framework: the case of Istanbul," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 121(11), pages 13005-13028, June.
    9. Matthew Cohen, 2017. "A Systematic Review of Urban Sustainability Assessment Literature," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(11), pages 1-16, November.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Zwickl, Klara & Ash, Michael & Boyce, James K., 2014. "Regional variation in environmental inequality: Industrial air toxics exposure in U.S. cities," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 494-509.
    2. Cheng, Shulei & Fan, Wei & Chen, Jiandong & Meng, Fanxin & Liu, Gengyuan & Song, Malin & Yang, Zhifeng, 2020. "The impact of fiscal decentralization on CO2 emissions in China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 192(C).
    3. Kollenbach, Gilbert & Schopf, Mark, 2022. "Unilaterally optimal climate policy and the green paradox," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 113(C).
    4. Fangyu Ju & Mengfan Ke, 2022. "The Spatial Spillover Effects of Environmental Regulation and Regional Energy Efficiency and Their Interactions under Local Government Competition in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-27, July.
    5. Penjani Hopkins Nyimbili & Turan Erden & Himmet Karaman, 2018. "Integration of GIS, AHP and TOPSIS for earthquake hazard analysis," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 92(3), pages 1523-1546, July.
    6. Betul Hande Gursoy Haksevenler & Berfin Senik & Zeynep Sengul & Aydin Akpinar, 2025. "Assessing disaster vulnerability and proposing an adaptive disaster risk reduction framework: the case of Istanbul," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 121(11), pages 13005-13028, June.
    7. Maedeh Haghbin Yousefi & Behrouz Behnam & Saeideh Farahani, 2024. "An auxiliary framework to facilitate earthquake search and rescue operations in urban regions," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 120(12), pages 11107-11131, September.
    8. Xueping Wu & Ming Gao, 2021. "Effects of different environmental regulations and their heterogeneity on air pollution control in China," Journal of Regulatory Economics, Springer, vol. 60(2), pages 140-166, December.
    9. Zhang, Cuifang & Xiang, Xiandeng, 2023. "Fiscal decentralization, environmental policy stringency, and resource sustainability: Panacea or Pandora's box in high resource consuming countries," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    10. Hausman, Catherine & Stolper, Samuel, 2021. "Inequality, information failures, and air pollution," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 110(C).
    11. Bjertnæs, Geir H. & Tsygankova, Marina & Martinsen, Thomas, 2013. "Norwegian climate policy reforms in the presence of an international quota market," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 39(C), pages 147-158.
    12. Nina Almasifar & Tülay Özdemir Canbolat & Milad Akhavan & Roberto Alonso González-Lezcano, 2021. "Proposing a New Methodology for Monument Conservation “SCOPE MANAGEMENT” by the Use of an Analytic Hierarchy Process Project Management Institute System and the ICOMOS Burra Charter," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-13, November.
    13. Tong Zhang & Chaofan Chen, 2018. "The Effect of Public Participation on Environmental Governance in China–Based on the Analysis of Pollutants Emissions Employing a Provincial Quantification," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-20, July.
    14. Stefano Bosi & David Desmarchelier, 2017. "Are the Laffer curve and the green paradox mutually exclusive?," Journal of Public Economic Theory, Association for Public Economic Theory, vol. 19(5), pages 937-956, October.
    15. Galinato, Gregmar I. & Chouinard, Hayley H., 2018. "Strategic interaction and institutional quality determinants of environmental regulations," Resource and Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 114-132.
    16. Saltz, Ira S. & Capener, Don, 2016. "60 Years Later and Still Going Strong: The Continued Relevance of the Tiebout Hypothesis," Journal of Regional Analysis and Policy, Mid-Continent Regional Science Association, vol. 46(01).
    17. Kollenbach, Gilbert, 2013. "Endogenous Growth with a Ceiling on the Stock of Pollution," MPRA Paper 50641, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    18. Grimaud, André & Lafforgue, Gilles & Magné, Bertrand, 2011. "Climate change mitigation options and directed technical change: A decentralized equilibrium analysis," Resource and Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 33(4), pages 938-962.
    19. Anke Gerber & Andreas Nicklisch & Stefan Voigt, 2013. "Strategic Choices for Redistribution and the Veil of Ignorance: Theory and Experimental Evidence," CESifo Working Paper Series 4423, CESifo.
    20. Sushil, 2019. "Efficient interpretive ranking process incorporating implicit and transitive dominance relationships," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 283(1), pages 1489-1516, December.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:wly:sustdv:v:33:y:2025:i:6:p:8132-8150. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Wiley Content Delivery (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1099-1719 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.