The purpose of this research is to: 

• Understand how the concepts of liveability, sustainability and their interconnections are being translated into urban development policies and practices 
• Understand urban governance challenges and opportunities in liveable and sustainability city transitions in two contrasting socio-political contexts  
• Draw important lessons for both developed and developing cities about their opportunities and challenges in terms of sustainability transition while maintaining liveability. 

This project aims to: 

• Understand theoretical and practical meanings of liveability, sustainability and their interconnections constructed in the academic literature and practices respectively. 
• Understand whether the urban development planning regime can ensure cities’ long-term sustainability while maintaining current liveability  

• Identify urban governance challenges and opportunities in the pursuit of liveable and sustainable city transitions  
• Generate policy lessons for a developed and a developing country city on how to maintain cities’ liveability and sustainability simultaneously.  
• Identify actor and spatial dynamics of urban governance with reference to urban liveability and sustainability transitions.  
• Generate a structure of governance that can promote urban liveability and sustainability transitions.  

This research will generate new knowledge about the challenges and opportunities of cities in ensuring liveability and sustainability simultaneously.