Techno-material and socio-environmental model for assessing urban sustainability

Abstract

The term “sustainable development” first appeared as part of discussions regarding the capacity of natural ecosystems to support the current model of economic growth, assuming a strong concern with the preservation of the planet's environmental structures. Initially, these concerns were conceived on a global scale, but soon the need to bring the discussions to the urban locus - the impact of large human agglomerations on the territory and its natural resources - was realized. Thus, the local scale gained importance, since most of the environmental problems originate in the local urban structures and through the lifestyle that they advocate. Cities are serious consumers and degraders of the natural ecosystem, waterproofing soils, polluting the atmosphere, altering the landscape and consuming resources. Based on studies produced by French geographer Cyria Emelianoff and Brazilian economist Henri Acselrad, on the systematization of different representations and practices in urban sustainability, this research paper aims to introduce the design and development of an evaluation model able to assess the degree of sustainability using a techno-material and socio-environmental set of criteria. This model is intended to serve as a benchmark for both the formulation and evaluation of plans, projects and public policies focused on genuine sustainable development