Développement d'un cadre pour l'évaluation intégrée de la durabilité urbaine

Thesis Abstract

Urban sustainability has become an imperative in contemporary urban planning due to increasing environmental pressures, rapid urbanization, and socioeconomic challenges that demand holistic and integrated approaches. Despite the proliferation of sustainability assessment tools, there remains a notable gap in comprehensive frameworks that facilitate multi-dimensional and systemic evaluation of urban sustainability, integrating environmental, social, and economic indicators within a unified decision-making process. This study aims to develop a robust, theoretically grounded, and practically applicable framework for the integrated assessment of urban sustainability, addressing the pressing need for policymakers and urban planners to adopt holistic evaluation tools that inform sustainable urban development strategies. The specific objectives include identifying essential sustainability indicators across environmental, social, and economic domains; constructing an integrated conceptual model that interlinks these indicators; and validating the framework through empirical application in a mid-sized metropolitan area. The research adopted a mixed-methods approach grounded in a pragmatic paradigm to ensure comprehensive understanding and practical applicability. The quantitative component involved a survey of 150 urban planning professionals and stakeholders selected through stratified random sampling. Data collection was carried out using a structured questionnaire designed to evaluate perceptions of sustainability indicators and the utility of integrated assessment frameworks. Qualitative data were obtained through semi-structured interviews with 20 key policymakers and urban planners, providing deeper insights into contextual challenges and practical considerations. The validity and reliability of the instruments were established through expert reviews and a pilot study, respectively. Quantitative data were analyzed using multiple regression analysis and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to examine relationships among indicators and the overall framework validity. The qualitative data were subjected to thematic analysis, facilitating the integration of core themes with quantitative findings to refine the framework. It is anticipated that the study will reveal key interdependencies among environmental, social, and economic sustainability indicators, highlighting the necessity of an integrative approach. The findings are expected to demonstrate that the proposed framework enhances decision-making, promotes stakeholder participation, and improves the transparency and comprehensiveness of sustainability evaluations. Furthermore, the empirical validation will suggest the framework's adaptability to diverse urban contexts, making it a versatile tool for urban sustainability assessments. This research contributes to knowledge by bridging theoretical gaps in comprehensive sustainability evaluation models, integrating multi-criteria decision-making theories and systems thinking into a cohesive framework. It advances existing literature by offering a validated, scalable, and context-sensitive tool that urban planners and policymakers can adopt for more effective sustainable development planning. The development process incorporates insights from sustainable development theories, including the Brundtland Commission's concept of intergenerational equity and the systems approach to urban management. The main conclusion emphasizes that an integrated, multi-dimensional framework significantly improves the robustness and comprehensiveness of urban sustainability evaluations. The study recommends policymakers adopt this framework to facilitate balanced development, prioritize resource efficiency, and enhance stakeholder engagement. Further research should explore the framework’s application in various geographic and socio-economic settings, as well as integrating emerging indicators related to climate resilience and smart city technologies. Overall, this thesis advances the analytical tools necessary for informed, sustainable urban planning, aligning theoretical insights with practical implementation to support resilient, inclusive, and environmentally responsible urban growth.