DOI: 10.4018/IJSEM.2019070103 International Journal of Sustainable Economies Management Volume 8 • Issue 3 • July-September 2019 Copyright © 2019, IGI Global. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited. 29 Recent trends in Sustainable Urban Planning José G Vargas-Hernández, University Center for Economic and Managerial Sciences, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico Justyna Anna Zdunek-Wielgołaska, Faculty of Architecture, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5788-9707 ABSTRACT This article aims to analyze some of the recent development of sustainable urban planning as a tool for the development of urban areas aimed to improve their economic growth, social development and inclusiveness, and to make more environmentally friendly, inclusive and safer cities. Sustainable urban planning is moving away from traditional practices towards more collaborative and participatory approaches supported by considerations of the waste management, the new methods, policies and strategies leading to governance. Finally, there are considered the limitations that the new models of sustainable urban planning are facing KEywoRdS Collaborative Planning, Participatory Planning, Social Development Sustainable Urban Planning INTRodUCTIoN: URBAN PLANNING Urban areas are the places where more than half of world´s population lives concentrating population, financial resources, economic development and disrupting the ecosystems and sustainability (Mclaren and Agyeman, 2015; McCormick and Kiss, 2015; Saveriades, 2000; Abernethy, 2001). Urban planning has been under attack and in debate for a long time and is emerging recently to reassess itself in the new context of sustainable urbanization. The aim of urban planning is to create better futures (Myers and Kitsuse, 2000). Urban planning is a decision-making mechanism to ensure sustainable economic growth, social equity and sustainable environment. Urban planning focusing on local economic development incorporate economic growth, social equity and ecological sustainability, which can be threatened by different issues in specific cases (Susilawati and Al-Surf, 2011; MEP, 2005; MEP, 2010; Al-sayl, 2013). Urban planning should be a framework for enable sustained and inclusive economic growth and opportunities, land regulation, infrastructure of services. Urban planning is a means to address global environmental challenges by transforming the urban realm. It is related to environmental sustainability and societal equity, energy efficiency and cultural diversity through providing new values. Regarding the issues that urban planners address are socio- economic infrastructure and development, environmental sustainability urban planning for climate change; poverty reduction, urban planning for safety and security, slum prevention and upgrading, disaster and post-conflict reconstruction, among other concerns and issues. Urban planning and management can integrate climate change strategies to address environmental challenges improving local conditions. The integration of the environment in urban planning and management has economic, health and quality of life benefits by incorporating existing tools.