Sustainable development of port and urban systems

Abstract

This paper aims to investigate how policy and managerial implications facilitate the integrated port and urban development in top Asian port cities, thereby contributing to their competitiveness and sustainable growth. Given the inadequate research on how the different policies in the port and urban system contributes to the sustainable development of Asian port cites, top Asian port cities are selected to be the focus of discussion in this paper. The nine port cities are namely Shanghai, Singapore, Tianjin, Guangzhou, Ningbo, Busan, Hong Kong and Shenzhen. Statistical data and policies of the various port cities will be analysed to evaluate the inter-relationship of the port and urban systems and their impact on the economic, social and environmental aspects. This is supplemented by interviews and conferences with various stakeholders to gather industry perspectives. Given that every port city is presented with a unique set of environmental, societal, political and economical characteristics, port cities hereby need to strike a balance to minimise stakeholder conflict. Policymakers and stakeholders play an equally important role in reconciling the port and urban systems. Sustainable development of the port and urban systems can only succeed through effective participation and integration of the urban perspectives into port development agendas.