Urban Sustainability at the Margins

Rui Alexandre Castanho holds an International Ph.D. in Sustainable Planning in Borderlands and is currently the Vice-Coordinator of VALORIZA - Research Center (Portugal) and EU Climate Change Pact Ambassador for Portugal. He is also an EU Climate Pact Ambassador and completed postdoctoral research under the GREAT Project at the University of the Azores. His research affiliations include ECIDES at UNIR (Spain), VALORIZA at the Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre (Portugal), CITUR-Madeira, and AQUAGEO at UNICAMP (Brazil). He holds degrees in Green Spaces Engineering and Agricultural Engineering, as well as a Master’s in Planning, Audit, and Control in Urban Green Spaces. Professor Castanho has published over 160 peer-reviewed articles, 100 indexed book chapters, more than 30 books, and more than 100 conference contributions. He has spoken at numerous international academic events and was awarded the Doctor Honoris Causa title by UPCI in Lima, Peru.Ana Viegas Loures holds a Ph.D. in Landscape Architecture and is a dedicated researcher and educator in the fields of sustainable development, land use planning, and environmental management. She is currently a faculty member at the Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, Portugal, and collaborates with several research centers, including VALORIZA – Research Center for the Enhancement of Endogenous Resources. Her academic and professional work focuses on the integration of ecological principles into planning and design practices, aiming to promote resilient and inclusive landscapes. Ana has participated in various international research projects and is the author of multiple scientific publications, book chapters, and conference papers. Passionate about fostering sustainability at both local and global scales, she actively contributes to knowledge exchange between academia, communities, and policy-makers.

• Foreword Introduction: Reimagining Urban Futures through Sustainable DesignSection I – Foundational Concepts and Frameworks1. The Principles of Sustainable Urban Design2. Resilience and Adaptation in Urban Planning3. Smart Cities and Digital Tools for SustainabilitySection II – Policy, Governance, and Community Engagement4. Multi-Level Governance and Sustainable Policy Implementation5. Public Participation and Inclusive Urban Design6. Financing the Green Transition in CitiesSection III – Thematic Areas and Applied Strategies7. Nature-Based Solutions and Urban Green Infrastructure8. Energy-Efficient Urban Forms and Mobility Systems9. Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Urban RegenerationSection IV – Global Case Studies and Best Practices10. European Experiences in Urban Sustainability11. African and Latin American Approaches to Resilient Urban Design12. Small and Medium Cities Leading the Green Shift Conclusion: Designing the Cities of Tomorrow – Pathways Forward