A review of the main challenges to urban sustainability

Considering the existential threat that global warming poses to humanity, the current focus on climate change is undoubtedly justified. However, this should not overshadow the fact that sustainable development does not only end with environmental concerns but also covers social and economic domains that are mediated through physical spaces and built form. There are two-way interactions between these domains with each having a reciprocal impact on the other. Based on the institutional and policy context, these interactions can move us towards either a more virtuous circle of development with more equitable growth, empowered communities, liveable spaces and reduced (or at least controlled) levels of pollution, or the reverse. Consequently, in order to set the scene for the launch of the International Journal of Urban Sustainable Development, I attempt to provide an overview of the main challenges emanating from each domain for achieving urban sustainability and the contribution that the new journal can make to this debate.