Transformation in "Sustainable Cities"

This project aims to understand how cities considered to be “sustainable” have transformed over the years through shifts in environmental ideology, social-cultural values, and risk management regimes, and how these shifts can be harnessed to foster social inclusion, resilience, and long-term viability of urban societies. Recognizing that "new" does not always mean favorable in the long-term, in this study, I explore the following questions: Have new environmental practices, cultures, policies, disasters, and new risk management regimes in the last 20 years hindered or allowed cities to move towards sustainability? What are the ideological, political, and socio-cultural factors moderating the direction of the shift towards a desirable pathway (i.e., towards achieving environmental protection, social justice, economic equality, and increased resilience against climatic events)? Who are the actors involved in shifting society and urban systems towards such desirable pathways? And how do the people undergoing change perceive the ongoing transitions in their cities? To answer these questions, I draw on case studies from Portland, Oregon (US), Tokyo Manila (Asia), and Lagos (Africa).

Ajibade I and Boateng G (2021) Predicting why people engage in pro-sustainable behavior in Portland Oregon: the role of environmental self-identity, personal norm, and socio-demographics. Journal of Environmental Management. 289, 112538

Ajibade I and Adams E (2019) Planning principles and assessment of transformational adaptation: towards a refined ethical approach. Climate and Development, 11:10, 850-86