Work

From Risk Perception to Sustainable Governance: A Stakeholder-Centric Approach in Urban Infrastructure Development

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Amid rapid urbanization, this study investigates public safety risks in Shanghai’s urban construction projects through a stakeholder-centric framework, aiming to advance sustainable urban development. By classifying stakeholders into core, potential, and peripheral groups, the analysis employs mixed methods—qualitative case studies and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP)—to identify systemic risks spanning policy cognition gaps, compensation inequities, and environmental adaptation challenges. The findings reveal critical tensions between infrastructure-driven imperatives and community welfare, highlighting governance blind spots that threaten urban sustainability. This study proposes adaptive strategies to harmonize technical efficiency with social equity, including transparent policymaking, equitable compensation models, and cross-sector collaboration. These pathways prioritize long-term ecological and social resilience, offering a scalable governance framework to mitigate risks while fostering inclusive urban transitions. By bridging stakeholder interests with sustainable development goals, this study advances a replicable framework for megacities like Shanghai, balancing infrastructural expansion with equitable urban transitions while safeguarding social stability and ecological resilience.

Source: Sustainability

DOI: 10.3390/su17083483

Authors: Xinran Xu, Tongyu Chen, Xi Yu

Institutions: Guangzhou University, The University of Melbourne

Language: English

Topic: Construction Management and Sustainability

Subfield: Building and Construction

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Sustainable cities and communities, Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896