The Landscape of Sustainable Cities: Emerging Futures

Dear Colleagues,

Ever since the first cities arose in advantageous locations, urban life has been permeated by interlinked biological, physical, chemical and energy flows. While their availability and quality vary, these variables still provide the means for cities to achieve sustainable and livable landscapes. During the modern era of climate crisis, pandemics and other upheavals, ingenuity and resolve are needed to drive landscape change and reinvent functions and patterns of urban spaces.

A holistic notion of landscape in the city is complex, dynamic and multi-systematic. The word frames the experienced environment that offers prospects for health, social engagement, recreation, mobility, cultural identity, economic opportunity or simply respite. When natural processes are afforded space, the city landscape tends toward greenness; however, typically, landscapes are paved over and lacking in biological diversity. From large, connected park systems to isolated shards tucked along streets and interstitial spaces, functional and accessible urban landscapes are crucial to ensuring cities are better places for everyone—including new generations of healthy and happy children.

The United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals* (SDGs) lists Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11) as an aim. This is a call for cities that are inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. Yet, when considering the complex range of forces and relationships at play in the urban landscape, they have the potential to advance the SDGs of Good Health & Well-being (3), Gender Equality (5), Clean Water and Sanitation (6), Clean Energy (7), Infrastructure (9), Reduced Inequalities (10), Responsible Production (12), Climate Action (13) and Life on Land (15), among others.

My hope is that this Special Issue will serve as an integrative forum for addressing sustainable and welcoming urban landscapes. I would encourage submissions from both theoretical and applied perspectives that address the science, social science, design, technology and policy of landscapes and public spaces in the city.

Thank you.

Prof. Ken Tamminga
Guest Editor

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