By Kavita Dehalwar & Devraj Verma
Research Associates, Track2Training, India
Sustainable development and resilient transport systems form the backbone of well-functioning, future-ready cities. As urban populations expand and environmental pressures intensify, cities must adopt planning approaches that balance mobility needs, ecological responsibility, and social well-being. Modern urban planning is no longer only about accommodating growth—it is about guiding growth in a way that is resource-efficient, inclusive, safe, and adaptive to climate and socio-economic challenges.
1. Sustainable Development as a Foundation for Urban Planning
Sustainable development provides a long-term framework to meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to thrive. In urban systems, this translates into strategies that promote efficient land use, environmental protection, social equity, and economic vitality.
Recent scholarship emphasizes the role of sustainable building practices, waste management innovation, and nature-based solutions in shaping resilient urban futures. For example, research on solid waste management and AI-enabled environmental planning (Sharma et al., 2024; Dehalwar & Sharma, 2026; Sharma et al., 2025) shows how technological interventions can improve resource efficiency and decrease ecological burdens. Similarly, studies on green buildings and prefabricated construction (Sharma et al., 2025) underscore how sustainable construction practices reduce emissions, enhance energy performance, and improve neighbourhood livability.
Urban planning also increasingly recognizes the interconnectedness of environmental health, climate adaptation, and social justice. Work by Lucero-Prisno et al. (2025), for instance, links climate disasters with migration, health impacts, and food security—reminding planners that sustainability includes human resilience and equity, not just environmental metrics.
2. Resilient Transport as a Catalyst for Sustainable Cities
Transportation is one of the most influential determinants of urban form, environmental quality, and social accessibility. A resilient transport system ensures that mobility is safe, reliable, adaptable, and environmentally responsible, even amid disruptions such as climate events or population surges.
A robust body of research highlights the importance of transport resilience within sustainable development. For instance, last-mile logistics using generative AI and digital twins (Sharma, 2025) demonstrates how advanced technologies can optimize electric vehicle integration and reduce carbon footprints. Similarly, studies on first- and last-mile accessibility in transit-oriented development (TOD) (Yadav et al., 2025) emphasize the need to design seamless connections that support public transport usage.
Pedestrian and road safety remain crucial components of resilient transport. The systematic review by Sharma and Dehalwar (2025) on urban pedestrian safety reveals significant gaps in policy and infrastructure that must be addressed to safeguard vulnerable road users. Moreover, surrogate safety analysis research (Sharma, Singh & Dehalwar, 2024) shows how advanced modelling can help planners prevent crashes before they occur.
3. Integrating Sustainability and Transport Resilience in Urban Planning
Good urban planning requires a holistic approach that unites sustainable development principles with resilient transport strategies. Transit-oriented development, in particular, emerges as a powerful mechanism to achieve this integration. Scholarly work (Sharma & Dehalwar, 2025; Sharma, Kumar & Dehalwar, 2024) demonstrates how TOD encourages compact, mixed-use growth, reduces car dependence, and stimulates economic development—creating greener and more inclusive cities.
Resilient transport systems also support sustainability by:
- Reducing emissions through shared mobility, electrification, and efficient public transit.
- Improving social equity by ensuring safe and accessible mobility for seniors, women, and marginalized groups (Sharma & Dehalwar, 2025; Dehalwar & Sharma, 2024).
- Enhancing disaster preparedness through robust infrastructure and adaptive planning.
Conclusion
Sustainable development and resilient transport are essential, mutually reinforcing components of good urban planning. Together, they enable cities to reduce environmental impacts, improve livability, promote social justice, and withstand future uncertainties. Integrating these principles into policies, infrastructure investment, and spatial planning will help cities transition toward healthier, safer, and more prosperous urban futures.
References
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