Despite its theoretical and practical significance, urban social sustainability research lacks robust definition, conceptualisation and measurement. In addition, the factors influencing people’s perceived feelings about their neighbourhood are underexplored. The aim of this study is two-fold: First, to develop and empirically test the urban social sustainability (USS) measurement model at the neighbourhood scale that captures the multifaceted nature of this complex phenomenon. Second, to use the proposed USS model to examine the role of different physical (urban form) and personal (socio-economic) factors in promoting or weakening various aspects of neighbourhood social sustainability. We conducted factor analysis for testing the dimensionality, validity, and reliability of the USS model. Multiple regression analysis was also used to test the practical implications of the model. Our findings from 251 respondents in five case study neighbourhoods of Dunedin city, New Zealand, provide evidence that the effects of physical and personal factors can differ according to distinct USS dimensions. We found that out of the four physical factors, quality of urban design is the most influential factor, having a significant positive influence on three USS dimensions and the overall urban social sustainability. Among the personal factors, length of residence in a neighbourhood has the most influence on different USS dimensions.

Since the emergence of COVID-19, travel restrictions due to the pandemic have influenced several activities, in particular the mobility patterns of individuals. Our main goal is to draw the attention of scholars and policy makers to a specific segment of the population, namely (1) older people, (2) persons with disabilities (PwDs), (3) females, and (4) low-income population that are more vulnerable for travel behaviour change due to crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This article systematically reviews the studies that have explored the implications of COVID-19 for the mobility and activities of individuals pre-, during, and post-pandemic using the PRISMA method. It is found that there are a few studies regarding the travel and mobility needs and challenges of older people and PwDs, and there is no direct study concerning female and low-income individuals while such crisis exist. Questions such as “What are the adverse impacts of restrictions on their travel behaviour?”, “How can they travel safely to work, shopping, and medical centres?”, “Which transportation modes can be more effective for them?”, and “What are the government and policy makers’ role in providing accessible and affordable mobility services in the presence of such crisis?” are without relevant answers in the literature.

The literature on social resilience lacks a precise definition of this concept and a clear guideline on how to measure it. Particularly, social resilience at the neighbourhood scale has received remarkably little scholarly attention. This study contributes toward filling these gaps in the literature by developing and empirically testing the neighbourhood social resilience (NSR) model as a robust and reliable measurement instrument that integrates various aspects of this complex concept into one coherent and fine-grained psychometric model. The reliability and validity of the NSR model are empirically tested using questionnaire data collected from 234 respondents in five neighbourhoods of Dunedin city, New Zealand. Furthermore, a more nuanced definition for neighbourhood social resilience is provided. Results indicate that social resilience is a second-order and multidimensional concept incorporating eight dimensions. Each of these dimensions captures a distinct piece in the jigsaw of social resilience; therefore, failure to incorporate all dimensions may provide an incomplete picture of this complex phenomenon. Our research bridges the gap between top-down approach of stakeholders and policymakers and bottom-up perceptions and expectations of residents about social resilience of their urban neighbourhood.

Effective pedestrian monitoring is crucial for promoting sustainable, safe, and livable urban environments, yet current practices lack a rigorous, evidence-based evaluation of their reliability, scalability, and contextual relevance. This systematic review offers the first foundational assessment of pedestrian monitoring practices, synthesizing academic literature to identify trends and expose critical knowledge gaps. A significant contribution is our novel qualitative framework, which synthesizes literature findings to classify monitoring methods into high (e.g., Bluetooth, IoT), medium (e.g., GPS, LiDAR), and low quality (e.g., surveys, video surveillance), based on their characteristics related to reliability and scalability. This synthesis reveals persistent challenges: the absence of standardized evaluation protocols, limited capacity to address complex urban environments, the underuse of widely available technologies, lack of long-term performance reporting, and unresolved tensions between data privacy and utility. To address these issues, the review outlines a strategic research agenda, including the establishment of benchmarking standards, the development of integrated, context-aware systems (supported by a proposed machine learning data driven framework), and investment in long-term and privacy-conscious approaches. The findings offer actionable insights for researchers, planners, and policymakers, supporting the design of walkable cities and more resilient, pedestrian-friendly urban environments.