12. Sustainable Development or Loss of Cultural Urban Identity?

In an urban-cultural context, this paper notes that the term sustainability implies a satisfaction of social needs on a higher level of aspiration than is the case in a vulgar interpretation of the common mainstream economic and ecological assumptions. Urban areas should develop on their own and at their own pace. The heritage bestowed upon them should be preserved. The concept of sustainable development must be based on strategies that respect the patterns of the urban constitution as of the urban morphology. Rediscovery and reaffirmation of the lost architectural and planning context founded on regional values, and finally patient waiting to perceive improvement in the material and spiritual qualities of the city, are needed. Sustainable urban development should respect cultural pluralism instead of being used as a pretext to homogenize cities according to the criteria of junk civilization.