The Role of Participatory Planning and Design in Addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals

This editorial explores the role of participatory planning and design in addressing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) within urban, regional, and rural contexts, which is the focus of this thematic issue. Its contributions highlight how participatory approaches can foster in...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Hilary Davis, Joel Fredericks, Marcus Foth, Glenda Amayo Caldwell, Callum Parker
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Cogitatio 2025-03-01
Series:Urban Planning
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.cogitatiopress.com/urbanplanning/article/view/10048
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849344790999597056
author Hilary Davis
Joel Fredericks
Marcus Foth
Glenda Amayo Caldwell
Callum Parker
author_facet Hilary Davis
Joel Fredericks
Marcus Foth
Glenda Amayo Caldwell
Callum Parker
author_sort Hilary Davis
collection DOAJ
description This editorial explores the role of participatory planning and design in addressing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) within urban, regional, and rural contexts, which is the focus of this thematic issue. Its contributions highlight how participatory approaches can foster inclusive, equitable, and sustainable urban development, moving beyond tokenistic engagement towards genuine community involvement. By examining a range of methods and case studies spanning 13 countries, the issue demonstrates the versatility of participatory planning in tackling key SDGs, particularly those related to sustainable cities (SDG 11), reduced inequalities (SDG 10), climate action (SDG 13), and partnerships for sustainability (SDG 17). We reflect on the successes and challenges of embedding participatory practices within governance structures, drawing on insights from prior academic fora and workshops we convened. Additionally, we acknowledge critiques of the SDGs for their limitations in addressing systemic economic and governance challenges, arguing for a more radical shift in urban planning paradigms. By situating participatory design within contemporary debates on sustainability, governance, and more-than-human approaches, this thematic issue advances the discourse on urban transformation and the future of SDG-driven planning practices.
format Article
id doaj-art-31dc65db9f2443be858097f00c58c6e2
institution Kabale University
issn 2183-7635
language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher Cogitatio
record_format Article
series Urban Planning
spelling doaj-art-31dc65db9f2443be858097f00c58c6e22025-08-20T03:42:35ZengCogitatioUrban Planning2183-76352025-03-0110010.17645/up.100484073The Role of Participatory Planning and Design in Addressing the UN Sustainable Development GoalsHilary Davis0Joel Fredericks1Marcus Foth2Glenda Amayo Caldwell3Callum Parker4Centre for Social Impact (CSI), Swinburne University of Technology, AustraliaSchool of Architecture, Design and Planning, The University of Sydney, AustraliaSchool of Design, Queensland University of Technology, AustraliaSchool of Architecture and Built Environment, Queensland University of Technology, AustraliaSchool of Architecture, Design and Planning, The University of Sydney, AustraliaThis editorial explores the role of participatory planning and design in addressing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) within urban, regional, and rural contexts, which is the focus of this thematic issue. Its contributions highlight how participatory approaches can foster inclusive, equitable, and sustainable urban development, moving beyond tokenistic engagement towards genuine community involvement. By examining a range of methods and case studies spanning 13 countries, the issue demonstrates the versatility of participatory planning in tackling key SDGs, particularly those related to sustainable cities (SDG 11), reduced inequalities (SDG 10), climate action (SDG 13), and partnerships for sustainability (SDG 17). We reflect on the successes and challenges of embedding participatory practices within governance structures, drawing on insights from prior academic fora and workshops we convened. Additionally, we acknowledge critiques of the SDGs for their limitations in addressing systemic economic and governance challenges, arguing for a more radical shift in urban planning paradigms. By situating participatory design within contemporary debates on sustainability, governance, and more-than-human approaches, this thematic issue advances the discourse on urban transformation and the future of SDG-driven planning practices.https://www.cogitatiopress.com/urbanplanning/article/view/10048community engagementparticipatory designparticipatory planningsustainable development goals (sdgs)urban, regional, and rural resilience
spellingShingle Hilary Davis
Joel Fredericks
Marcus Foth
Glenda Amayo Caldwell
Callum Parker
The Role of Participatory Planning and Design in Addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Urban Planning
community engagement
participatory design
participatory planning
sustainable development goals (sdgs)
urban, regional, and rural resilience
title The Role of Participatory Planning and Design in Addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals
title_full The Role of Participatory Planning and Design in Addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals
title_fullStr The Role of Participatory Planning and Design in Addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals
title_full_unstemmed The Role of Participatory Planning and Design in Addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals
title_short The Role of Participatory Planning and Design in Addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals
title_sort role of participatory planning and design in addressing the un sustainable development goals
topic community engagement
participatory design
participatory planning
sustainable development goals (sdgs)
urban, regional, and rural resilience
url https://www.cogitatiopress.com/urbanplanning/article/view/10048
work_keys_str_mv AT hilarydavis theroleofparticipatoryplanninganddesigninaddressingtheunsustainabledevelopmentgoals
AT joelfredericks theroleofparticipatoryplanninganddesigninaddressingtheunsustainabledevelopmentgoals
AT marcusfoth theroleofparticipatoryplanninganddesigninaddressingtheunsustainabledevelopmentgoals
AT glendaamayocaldwell theroleofparticipatoryplanninganddesigninaddressingtheunsustainabledevelopmentgoals
AT callumparker theroleofparticipatoryplanninganddesigninaddressingtheunsustainabledevelopmentgoals
AT hilarydavis roleofparticipatoryplanninganddesigninaddressingtheunsustainabledevelopmentgoals
AT joelfredericks roleofparticipatoryplanninganddesigninaddressingtheunsustainabledevelopmentgoals
AT marcusfoth roleofparticipatoryplanninganddesigninaddressingtheunsustainabledevelopmentgoals
AT glendaamayocaldwell roleofparticipatoryplanninganddesigninaddressingtheunsustainabledevelopmentgoals
AT callumparker roleofparticipatoryplanninganddesigninaddressingtheunsustainabledevelopmentgoals