The social pillar of urban sustainable development

Abstract: Sustainable development is a prominent perspective within local planning and policy and the three pillars of sustainability (ecological, economic and social) can both synergize and conflict. In this essay social sustainability is analyzed in relation to ecological sustainability to explore their interplay and relationship. The study is conducted using a content analysis and a theoretical policy framework to analyze just over 20 years of planning and policy focusing on sustainable development and environmental issues. The empirical case is the city of Malmö which has a progressive sustainable development work. The results show a trend over time of more integration between social sustainability and ecological sustainability generating both social and environmental benefits but also more potential goal conflicts as social sustainability gain status. Additionally are the dimensions of social sustainability, namely social equity and sustainability of community, used as a conceptual framework showing that both dimensions are present within the analyzed planning and policy.