Sustainable Human Settlements Development in Urban Area: Conceptual Connotation, Logical Construction
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37134/geografi.vol14.1.1.2026Keywords:
Sustainable Human Settlements, Urban Sustainability, Systems-Based Framework, Spatial Planning, Governance AdaptabilityAbstract
Environmental pressure and governance on sustainability have become complex and, in many cases, fragmented during the process of urbanization. Existing analytical models can be conceptually ambiguous, overlook interdependencies of urban systems, the dynamic character of the urban phenomenon and its normative dimension. In this respect, this study advances the understanding of sustainable human settlements with the help of a suitable framework that is theory-based. Based on systems theory, urban governance research, and sustainability science, the research builds a three-pronged logical-based system logic, process logic, and value logic. These logics together capture more structural, evolutionary, and ethical dimensions of sustainability across the intelligence, energy, and material levels. A framework incorporates a spatial structure, a social organization, an ecological support, and an institutional governance, connected through a set of dynamic mechanisms that ensure long-term goals such as inclusivity and inter-generational justice. While retaining classical theory of human settlement, as well as global benchmarks (SDG 11, UN-Habitat), the framework goes beyond outcome framework approach through an explicit inclusion of governance processes as well as normative aspects. The framework itself is theoretical in nature but offers practical implications for regional planning, indicator development, and smart city governance. This study builds a normative model of sustainable urban human settlements, which provides a clearer theoretical foundation for academic analysis and policy practice.
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