THE SOCIAL DIMENSIONS OF SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN BUENOS AIRES: A COMPARATIVE CASE STUDY
Date
2020-05
Authors
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
Often conceptualized mostly simply as the relationship between people, the
environment, and economics, sustainable development has become a popular
buzzword. Without regard for consistency or social implications, sustainable
development has continued to advance, branching out into operational policies as well.
In particular, cities have often been identified as laying the groundwork for sustainable
development both in theory and practice, representing a uniquely impactful testing
ground for many of these policies. However, sustainable development in an urban
context provides not only opportunities but also brings to light understudied obstacles.
One challenge, which is often neglected at nearly all applications of sustainable
development is social sustainability. In this paper, I propose that socio-spatial
awareness is an essential factor in the equation for successful sustainable development
outcomes. I test this assertion through a comparative case study of two sub-city sites in
Buenos Aires, Argentina. Ultimately, I find that by better understanding the
relationships people form with their spaces, a positive sustainable development
outcome is both more achievable and more likely.
Description
Keywords
international relations, Buenos Aires, urban development