Connected Urban Development (CUD) Initiative as an Approach towards Sustainability in Urban Areas

Abstract: With the increasing number of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)-based initiatives addressing sustainability in urban areas, it is important to examine the possible contributions these initiatives can make when transitioning society as a whole towards sustainability. This thesis investigates CUD‟s potential as a supportive approach to move urban areas towards sustainability, and the adjustment needed in the current strategies for alignment to a goal of global sustainability. This was accomplished by working with CUD Pilot Cities, various experts in urban development, ICT authorities and sustainability researchers. A scientific approach to the understanding of sustainability concepts provides the basis of this evaluation of the CUD initiative, the benefits and challenges, including the role of connectivity and the applicability of ICT. Within this context, recommendations were made to further improve the CUD initiative‟s effectiveness in moving urban areas towards sustainability. An ideal initiative was envisioned in relation to system boundaries and components, strategic guidelines, actions and tools - “CUD Gold” - and steps were suggested for how to make CUD more strategic in its pioneering endeavors of global urban sustainability.