International Journal of Urban Sustainable Development

Integrating Policy, Climate Action, and Socially Inclusive Approaches for Future Urban Development

The accelerating pace of climate change, coupled with rapid urbanisation, is reshaping cities across the globe. Urban areas now accommodate more than half the world’s population, generate over 70% of global CO₂ emissions, and are increasingly exposed to climate-related risks such as extreme heat, flooding, water scarcity, and sea-level rise. Addressing these complex challenges requires integrated strategies that align climate action, inclusive governance, and equitable urban planning. Embedding both mitigation and adaptation into urban development is vital for reducing emissions and enhancing resilience. Low-carbon urbanisation—anchored in national climate strategies and local planning frameworks—supports alignment with global decarbonisation goals. Green infrastructure further strengthens urban resilience by improving environmental quality and livability. Equally important is the inclusion of under-represented communities, particularly in informal settlements, where access to basic services and participation in decision-making are often limited. Inclusive governance and community-led design are essential for creating equitable and effective responses. Digital technologies can also support these efforts, but must be embedded within socially responsive frameworks. This Article Collection aims to explore how integrated policy, inclusive governance, and systems thinking can drive smart, just, and sustainable urban transformation. It invites interdisciplinary perspectives that connect climate action with human-centred urban development.

In the face of rapid urbanisation and accelerating climate change, cities worldwide confront unprecedented challenges, including increasing threats from extreme weather, flooding, and resource scarcity. There is an urgent need for research to develop integrated approaches that combine policy, climate action, inclusive governance, and equitable urban planning. Despite growing attention, many cities continue to grapple with fragmented policies that treat mitigation, adaptation, and social inclusion as separate issues. Vulnerable and marginalised communities—especially those in informal settlements—are often excluded from decision-making processes and disproportionately bear the impacts. Additionally, critical gaps persist in data availability, the integration of socially inclusive and collaborative approaches, the role of technology, and the creation of locally grounded knowledge. Addressing these gaps through interdisciplinary research is essential to inform policies that promote resilient, just, and sustainable urban futures, ensuring cities can thrive environmentally, socially, and economically for all their inhabitants.

The objectives of the articles of the proposed Article Collection are, but not limited to:

• To critically examine existing urban policy frameworks to identify gaps and opportunities for integrating climate mitigation, adaptation, and social inclusion into cohesive governance strategies.
• To explore mechanisms for enhancing the meaningful participation of marginalised and vulnerable communities, particularly those in informal settlements, in urban planning and decision-making processes.
• To investigate data limitations and knowledge gaps to develop collaborative, locally grounded approaches that support evidence-based climate and social policy-making in urban contexts.
• To explore the potential and challenges of technology-driven solutions to ensure their application promotes equitable, resilient, and socially inclusive urban development.
• To identify methodological frameworks and tools that can operationalise multi-objective urban planning.
• To investigate human-centred and socially inclusive approaches to smart, sustainable urban development.

Original empirical research articles and methodological contributions that bridge the gaps between urban sustainability, resilience, and climate policy; offer interdisciplinary or cross-regional perspectives; propose actionable frameworks or decision-support models; and highlight under-represented voices and communities within the following (but not limited to) themes are encouraged.

Climate Change and Urban Transformation

• Urban vulnerabilities to climate change and technological responses
• Role of cities in global climate mitigation targets
• Climate-resilient infrastructure and nature-based smart solutions
• Climate change financing and carbon storage

Integrated Planning and Governance

• Policy frameworks for multi-sectoral urban development
• Operational tools and decision-support systems for urban planners
• Cross-sector data integration and interoperability challenges

Equity, Inclusion, and Social Sustainability

• Human-centred, socially inclusive, and participatory design
• Addressing social inequalities and a lack of inclusivity
• Ethics, surveillance, and data governance in urban environments

Methodological approach

In addition to qualitative and quantitative methods, including mixed-method approaches and general statistical methods, articles on the following methodological approaches are also encouraged.

• • Advanced statistical modelling
  • Applied Systems Analysis
  • Spatial Analysis and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
  • Multi-Criteria Decision Making
  • Agent-Based Modelling (ABM) and Microsimulation
  • Big Data and Real-Time Urban Analytics
  • Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, etc.

Keywords:

1. Urban Sustainability
2. Climate Resilience
3. Social Inclusion
4. Integrated Policy
5. Collaborative Governance

All manuscripts submitted to this Article Collection will undergo a full peer-review; the Guest Advisor for this Collection will not be handling the manuscripts (unless they are an Editorial Board member).

Please review the journal scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript.

The deadline for submitting manuscripts is May 29, 2026.

Please contact Kara Roberts at Kara.Roberts@taylorandfrancis.com with any queries and discount codes regarding this Article Collection.

Professor Dr Dillip Kumar Das is a Civil Engineer and Planner specialising in Urban and Transportation Engineering and Planning, with expertise in Applied System Analysis. He holds a PhD in Urban and Rural Planning and has a background in Civil Engineering and City Planning. His research interests span various areas, including smart, sustainable cities, infrastructure, transportation planning, Climate Change Adaptation, Multi-Criteria Decision-Making, and Engineering Education.

Prof Mulala Danny Simatele is an environmental scientist based at the University of the Witwatersrand and has extensive research experience in community development, climate change adaptation and environmental management systems. He has served as a member of the advisory and steering committee for different international organisations and governments, and has taken on both short and long-term assignments for bilateral and multilateral agencies. In addition, he has published over 150 journal articles and authored 3 books on climate change adaptation. He is currently a technical advisor to the African Union, the European Commission on climate change adaptation and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), focusing on Water, energy and Biodiversity.