Proceedings of The 11th International Conference on Research in Behavioral and Social Sciences
Year: 2022
DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.33422/11th.icrbs.2023.07.100
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Unlocking Social Sustainability in Urban Transportation: Investigating Stakeholder Perspectives and Sustainable Indicator Strategies
Mohammad Thaher
ABSTRACT:
This paper delves into the concept of social sustainability in urban transportation and its crucial role in improving the overall quality of life within built environments. While extensive research has been conducted on planning sustainable transportation systems, there remains a dearth of theoretical and empirical exploration concerning social sustainability concepts in urban development, particularly in developing nations. To bridge this gap, this study aims to address the importance of continuously evaluating the social outcomes of sustainability. The intricate interplay of various variables involved in urban transportation sustainability poses a challenge in developing universally accepted sustainability indicators. Additionally, the divergent perspectives and overlapping interests of stakeholders further complicate the process of finding common ground. Hence, this research examines the potential and limitations of different stakeholder perceptions regarding urban transportation sustainability to identify the most pertinent stakeholder groups. This enables the development of an indicator system that encompasses the interests of all stakeholders, thus enhancing its applicability. To accomplish this, the research employs the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and utilizes expert opinions in a case study of Amman, Jordan to compare and rank the relative importance of these indicators. The study underscores the significance of social sustainability and provides a method for its evaluation, offering valuable insights to decision-makers regarding potential areas for policy intervention. The research argues that socially sustainable urban transportation plays a pivotal role in augmenting the quality of life for individuals residing in built environments. By developing sustainability indicators that consider the perspectives of various stakeholders, decision-makers can effectively assess the social dimension of sustainability and guide policy interventions. This study emphasizes the necessity for a paradigm shift and ongoing monitoring to achieve sustainable urban transportation systems that benefit society as a whole.
keywords: Analytical hierarchy process, Social sustainability, Stakeholder perceptions, Sustainability indicators, Urban transport