'A timely and critical look at different ways in which [a] social perspective can help create genuinely 'sustainable communities'.' Chris Church, London 21 and UK Low Carbon Communities'Theory and practice around sustainable development have consistently been at their weakest on how the social elements relate to the full picture. This intriguing book takes a timely and critical look at different ways in which this social perspective can help create genuinely 'sustainable communities'.' Chris Church, London 21 and UK Low Carbon Communities'In my mind, Social Sustainability in Urban Areas is a welcome addition to the growing interest in issues of equity and building social capital in urban areas. But perhaps more important, the book stimulates our thinking about the difficulties we face both practically and theoretically in understanding and then creating socially sustainable urban communities.' Journal of Planning Education and Research'Presenting multidimensional issues in the theory and multilayered institutional arrangements in the practice of social sustainability, this book is timely and an undeniable source for sustainable development in urban areas, opening our eyes to new ways of understanding and living in our cities in a truly social manner.' A. Senem Deviren, Istanbul Technical University, Faculty of Architecture, Urban Research and Practice