About this Research Topic

Background

Sustainable cities are at the forefront of achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They serve as epicenters of economic activity, innovation, and social progress. However, realizing the potential of sustainable urbanization requires innovative financial solutions, strategies, and blueprints. This special issue aims to explore the pivotal role of finance in advancing sustainable cities and their contributions to SDG success, offering a platform for groundbreaking research and practical insights.

The problem we aim to address in this Research Topic is the critical need to align financial strategies and frameworks with the sustainable development of urban areas, particularly in the context of achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within cities. Rapid urbanization, environmental challenges, and socio-economic disparities pose significant obstacles to sustainable urban development. These challenges require innovative financial solutions and policies that can effectively channel resources toward building resilient, inclusive, and environmentally responsible cities.

What Can Be Done to Achieve It:

Urban Infrastructure Investment: Research should focus on identifying and promoting investment models and financing mechanisms that support sustainable urban infrastructure development. This includes exploring the role of public-private partnerships (PPPs), municipal bonds, and innovative funding models to attract investments in critical areas such as public transport, clean energy, and water management.

Green and Smart Finance: Investigate how green finance and smart city financing can be integrated into urban development plans. This involves assessing the financial incentives and regulatory frameworks needed to encourage the adoption of sustainable technologies and practices in cities, such as renewable energy, energy-efficient buildings, and intelligent urban systems.

Affordable Housing Solutions: Examine the financial tools and strategies that can make housing more affordable and accessible in urban areas. This includes researching affordable housing finance models, microfinance for urban housing, and policies that promote equitable access to housing.

Local Economic Development: Explore how financial strategies can stimulate local economic development in cities, leading to job creation and improved livelihoods. This includes studying the role of microfinance, small business financing, and urban economic policies that encourage entrepreneurship and local economic growth.

Policy and Regulatory Reforms: Analyze the importance of policy and regulatory frameworks in guiding responsible and sustainable urban finance practices. Research should focus on identifying policy gaps and recommending reforms that encourage responsible lending, investment, and financial inclusion in cities.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Promote interdisciplinary collaboration among urban planners, economists, financiers, policymakers, and researchers to address the complex challenges of sustainable urban development. Encourage knowledge-sharing and best practices from various sectors to develop holistic solutions.

Data and Monitoring: Advocate for improved data collection and monitoring systems to assess the impact of financial strategies on SDGs in cities. Research should highlight the importance of data-driven decision-making and transparency in urban finance.

By addressing these aspects and conducting research in these areas, we can contribute to the development of a financial blueprint that paves the way for sustainable cities and, ultimately, the successful achievement of the SDGs within urban areas. This Research Topic aims to provide a platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and the dissemination of innovative solutions that can guide urban development in an era of rapid urbanization and global sustainability challenges.

Urban areas are central to addressing global challenges, such as climate change, inequality, and poverty. The financial sector plays a crucial role in shaping urban development, infrastructure, and sustainability.

This special issue will provide an opportunity to investigate various dimensions of finance in the context of sustainable cities, including:

Urban Infrastructure Finance: Examining the financing mechanisms for sustainable urban infrastructure, including public-private partnerships, municipal bonds, and innovative funding models.

Green and Smart Cities: Analyzing the role of green and smart financing in creating sustainable, resilient, and efficient urban environments.

Affordable Housing Finance: Assessing the impact of affordable housing finance on reducing housing inequality and promoting inclusive cities.

Local Economic Development: Investigating how financial strategies can stimulate local economic development and job creation in urban areas.

Policy and Regulatory Frameworks: Discussing the importance of policy and regulatory frameworks in guiding responsible and sustainable urban finance practices.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Community Case Study
• Conceptual Analysis
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Systematic Review

Keywords: Impact investing, Urban Policy, Infrastructure Finance, Sustainable Cities, Urban Finance

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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