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Abstract
The objective of this paper is to analyse and compare in detail the social structure of the two most acclaimed European sustainable neighbourhoods, which have had a completely different implementation approach: bottom-up urban development in Vauban (Freiburg) and top-down urban development in Western Harbour (Malmö). The goal is to uncover the unrevealed urban elements that determine social sustainability. The paper uses an innovative methodological framework - the Fainstein’s ‘Just City’ concept, which encompass several social determinants within three main pillars/principles: democracy, equity and diversity. The ‘Just City’ principles and its determinants add a new perspective to social urban manifestation encompassing ‘social justice’ and ‘local governance’ dimensions. These dimensions represent innovative research approaches in exploring urban social sustainability. Through the Just City framework, the social structure of the two representative case studies is dissected to establish the level of urban social sustainability in each urban area. The aim of the paper is to answer to the question: “Do the most acclaimed leading sustainable neighbourhoods embody democratic values, assure equality and respect (allow) diversity?”
Notes
This article was originally published with errors. This version has been corrected. Please see Corrigendum (https://doi.org/10.1080/13574809.2018.1385921)
1. The population density (persons/ha) in Vauban is 122, and is considerably higher than the average density of Freiburg which is 15 persons/ha (Foletta Citation2011).
2. Western Harbour’s population density is 57 persons/ha, which is three times higher than the Malmö average density, which is 19 persons/ha (Foletta Citation2011).