Prof.Dr. Armağan GÖZKAMAN | Special Issue Editor

Sustainable Human Development and the City

This special issue compiles research that probes the interface of sustainable cities and human development, presenting a robust methodological approach supported by a comprehensive literature review. The collection covers a broad spectrum of topics, each exploring the ways sustainable urbanization intersects with human development.

Several articles emphasize the significance of sustainable strategies in human resources and urban planning. One of them assesses the links between sustainability and human resource management, identifying specific HR strategies that are essential for sustainable cities. Another study focuses on green human resources practices and empowerment initiatives at the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality.

Indeed, the issue gains nuance from studies that emphasize the localization of sustainable development efforts in Türkiye. Some articles evaluate political party commitments to sustainability, the sustainable development goals of the Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality, urban design initiatives in Mersin, traditional architecture on Cunda Island, and the impacts of Türkiye’s water resources on migration and urbanization. Furthermore, an article analyzes the Antalya housing market, illustrating how international crises shape sustainable development, while another one examines freshwater resources and their role in population dynamics.

Our Türkiye-related research sections also allocate space for comparative analyses from an international perspective. One study contrasts Türkiye and EU data using the European Innovation Scoreboard, while another evaluates the MINT countries (Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Türkiye) on economic growth, urbanization, and ecological footprint metrics.

In addition, articles addressing sustainability from an architectural viewpoint explore how environmental awareness reshapes urban structures. For instance, a study proposes models for ecological industrial parks aligned with sustainable human development goals. Meanwhile, an article examines net-zero carbon tiny houses within the sustainable city framework.

The issue also permeates various academic disciplines, encompassing a breadth of themes. These include the advantages of smart cities for advancing human development, the pivotal role of design-thinking in fostering sustainable food systems, the impact of environmental sustainability on human development, the critical considerations in sustainable building material selection, and the significance of spatiality and public spaces in promoting sustainable urbanization.

Hence, we believe that this special issue offers both scientific insight and practical guidance, contributing meaningfully to current and future research aimed at making cities more “livable” and “sustainable.”

Dear readers.

In this issue, a total of 18 articles were published, 13 of which were research and 5 were compilations, that were addressed from different perspectives on the city. Our 20 section editors and 60 referees, who worked to evaluate our articles in our special issue, including rejected articles, made great contributions to the scientific quality of the published articles. In the editorial board meetings where all these efforts are combined, we have 10 editors who organize 8 meetings lasting hours each during this period and offer ideas to constantly improve the quality of our journal.

In accordance with our user-friendly publishing principle, our Urban Academy WhatsApp consultancy and technical support line has been put into service and is presented to the attention of our readers, writers and editors on our social media accounts.

Stay well, with the hope of meeting you with new achievements and good news in each new issue.

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