IN-PERSON Lisbon Livable Cities. Section A

Abstract

Unlike Auguste’s and Durkheim’s quantitative and objective positivism, Weber and Simmel introduced the qualitative and subjective interpretive sociology in order to understand social perceptions and facts. Yet, the UN-sustainability approach, which aims at advancing social equity and engagement, examines neither the social view of nor readiness for the transition towards sustainability. Thus, the paper questions the need for integrating the abovementioned sociological pragmatic shift into the procedures of sustainability implementation. Theoretically, the research reviews the UN-sustainability framework, mainly based on Roberston’s notion of glocalization and Gottdiener’s concept of connotation. Furthermore, library-based, the contribution reassesses Al-Gourna project in Egypt while empirically reflecting on the Oman National Spatial Strategy (ONSS) in Muscat. The endeavor is not but an interdisciplinary attempt to bring the idea of initiating interpretive sustainability schemes into discussion—that is, to allow achieving long-lasting sustainable urban development via effective social participation.