Sustainability Indicators and GIS as Land-Use Planning Instrument Tools for Urban Model Assessment

Abstract

Among the priority concerns that figure in the public manager’s portfolio, the existing problems in cities when planning a more efficient management of urban space are well known. Within the wide range of reflections that local corporations consider, one of their main concerns is based on achieving a more livable city model, where the quality of life of its inhabitants is substantially improved and founded on sustainable development parameters. In view of these considerations, the purpose of this research is to establish an analysis of the formal relationship between urban sustainability and spatial morphology in a medium-sized Spanish city chosen as a pattern. The methodological process established combines the application of open data (from public administrations) with the calculation of urban sustainability indicators and GIS tools, with a particular focus at the neighborhood level. The results obtained at a global level throughout the city show that a large number of indicators including density, green areas, public facilities, public parking and cultural heritage elements are above the minimum standards required, which means that they comfortably meet the regulatory requirements and presumably present an adequate degree of sustainability. On the other hand, other indicators such as building compactness, urban land sponging and organic and recycling bins are below the minimum required standard. Considering the evaluation of the urban model obtained and, through the urban planning instruments set out in the law, the necessary corrective measures must be established to try to adapt the urban configuration to the objectives of sustainable development. It can be concluded that the implementation of urban sustainability indicators as a territorial planning tool linked to GIS tools would objectively facilitate the application of measures to promote the improvement of the citizens’ quality of life. However, the availability of open data sources must be taken into account as a prerequisite to develop the transformation into useful parameters for their practical application for citizens in urban environments.