Mapping key features and dimensions of the inclusive city

Mapping key features and dimensions of the inclusive city: A systematic bibliometric analysis and literature study

Liang, Danni (Dalian University of Technology)
de Jong, Martin (Rotterdam School of Management; Fudan University; Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam)
Schraven, D.F.J. (TU Delft Integral Design & Management)
Wang, Lili (Dalian University of Technology)

2021

Many local governments engaging in sustainable urban development also have a growing interest in becoming inclusive too, brand themselves as such and develop policies to become inclusive cities. However, knowing what exactly this entails and how it can be achieved is not always quite straightforward and requires thorough theoretical and empirical exploration. Consequently, we present a systematic deconstruction of the inclusive city concept in order to develop a better understanding of the main features and dimensions; this is done by means of both a bibliometric analysis and qualitative literature review. The results indicate that inclusiveness is multidimensional and comprised of spatial, social, environmental, economic, and political dimensions in which the characteristics of participation, equity, accessibility and sustainability are sometimes interwoven. Overall, the inclusive city is not merely a precondition for the creation of just space, well-being, and environmental responsibility, but also an opportunity to take stock of interests of stakeholders in cities and to create local public value. The findings have implications for urban policy and practice, more specifically, the clarification of the inclusive city concept and conceptual dimensions will provide significant reference for policymakers and practitioners to make prudent decisions in the process of creating an inclusive city.

Inclusive city
bibliometric analysis
equity
literature review
sustainable urbanization

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:3145517c-b402-4adc-89c5-2c1e22c734c9

https://doi.org/10.1080/13504509.2021.1911873

1350-4509

International Journal of Sustainable Development and World Ecology, 29 (1), 60-79

Institutional Repository

journal article

© 2021 Danni Liang, Martin de Jong, D.F.J. Schraven, Lili Wang