Actors in the Planning and Development of Varaždin: The Contribution of Social Sustainability Research in the Urban Context
Actors in the Planning and Development of Varaždin: The Contribution of Social Sustainability Research in the Urban Context

Summary/Abstract: For a balanced development of cities today there obviously needs to be a dialogue between different social actors. This type of approach to development was established by adopting the concept of social sustainability which emphasises the importance of civic participation in strategic development planning. This paper aims to examine the satisfaction of Varaždin residents with the level of some dimensions of social sustainability and city governance practices. The data were collected through a survey of a representative sample of the adult population of the City of Varaždin (N=500). By analysing elements of the concept of social sustainability of the city, from the point of view of the citizens of Varaždin, we arrived at the conclusion that suggests a low level of social sustainability in the city development management. This survey has also shown that the level of education is a precondition for the ability to be critical of development issues, and that the opinions of individuals with a higher level of education are closer to the concept of socially sustainable development of the city that reduces the dominance of the political sector and promotes dialogue between different social actors.

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