Sustainability
Volume 7, Issue 11 (November 2015), Pages 14427-15784
http://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/7/9

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Editorial: Planning, Development and Management of Sustainable Cities: A Commentary from the Guest Editors
by Tan Yigitcanlar and Md. Kamruzzaman
Sustainability 2015, 7(11), 14677-14688; doi:10.3390/su71114677
Received: 27 October 2015 / Revised: 27 October 2015 / Accepted: 27 October 2015 / Published: 3 November 2015
Abstract:
Cities are the most dramatic manifestations of human activities on the surface of the earth. These human-dominated organisms—i.e., cities—degrade natural habitats, simplify species composition, disrupt hydrological systems, and modify energy flow and nutrient cycling. Today, these consequential impacts of human activities, originated from population increase, rapid urbanization, high private motor vehicle dependency, deregulated industrialization and mass livestock production, are increasing exponentially and causing great deal of environmental, social, and economic challenges both at global and local scales. In such a situation, establishment of sustainable cities, through sustainable urban development practices, is seen as a potential panacea to combat these challenges responsibly, effectively, and efficiently. This paper offers a critical review of the key literature on the issues relating to planning, development and management of sustainable cities, introduces the contributions from the Special Issue, and speculates on the prospective research directions to place necessary mechanisms to secure a sustainable urban future for all.