Abstract

This unique and insightful text offers an exploration of the origins and subsequent development of the concept of just sustainability. Introducing Just Sustainabilities discusses key topics, such as food justice, sovereignty and urban agriculture; community, space, place(making) and spatial justice; the democratization of our streets and public spaces; how to create culturally inclusive spaces; intercultural cities and social inclusion; green-collar jobs and the just transition; and alternative economic models, such as co-production. With a specific focus on solutions-oriented policy and planning initiatives that specifically address issues of equity and justice within the context of developing sustainable communities, this is the essential introduction to just sustainabilities.
'In this beautifully written book, Julian Agyeman builds on his groundbreaking concept of just sustainabilities to include an exploration of how food, space, place, and culture shape our capacities to imagine and pursue a world of possibilities. From Bogota to Boston, he always asks the right questions and makes sure to consider the real world applications and implications of just sustainability. Agyeman also offers a bold and refreshing critique of reformist approaches to sustainability and social change. He presents a clear agenda for policy, planning, and practical pathways to co-produce societies in which we all are recognized and respected.' David Naguib Pellow, Don A. Martindale Professor of Sociology, University of Minnesota, and author of Resisting Global Toxics 'Agyeman's engaging analysis brings the concept of 'just sustainabilities' to the centre of the stage, right where it deserves to be. In this essential book, he brings together the literature on sustainability, particularly environmental sustainability, with that of environmental justice, illuminating the discussion throughout with cases where communities are striving to achieve just sustainability on the ground. Agyeman makes very clear the importance of cultural diversity and paying attention to the needs of situated identities.' Yvonne Rydin, Chair of Planning, Environment and Public Policy, and Director of the Environment Institute, University College London 'Julian Agyeman has done more than any other scholar to emphasise the potential in the relationship between environmental justice and ecological sustainability. In this book, he explores the evolution and recent development of the crucial concept of just sustainability, in particular how it manifests itself in various aspects of our everyday lives. In doing so, Ageyman makes both the idea and practice of just sustainability more inclusive and salient to a new generation of students, activists, policy-makers, and environmental practitioners.' David Schlosberg, Professor of Environmental Politics, The University of Sydney 'Julian Agyeman has produced a powerful new statement of the need to integrate justice and sustainability. Building on his own ground-breaking work, he analyses the key themes of food, space, place, and culture, showing how equity, justice and inclusion are fundamental to any enduring practical expression of sustainability.' Andrew Dobson, Professor of Politics, Keele University, and author of Citizenship and the Environment 'With this excellent book, Agyeman both consolidates and advances his ground-breaking work on just sustainabilities. Readers looking for a clear and concise review of the concept and underpinning ideas, as well as those wanting compelling examples of its practical application will be more than satisfied.' Professor Gordon Walker, Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University 'With Just Sustainabilities, Julian Agyeman again demonstrates why he is considered one of the world's foremost modern thinkers on the relationship between humanity and nature. By eloquently making the case that the loss of human potential is as detrimental to our future as the loss of environmental potential, Agyeman shows that we need to transform the way we treat each other as well as the planet.' Professor Mark Roseland, Director, Centre for Sustainable Community Development, Simon Fraser University, and author of Toward Sustainable Communities: Solutions for Citizens and Their Governments 'There’s lots to think about if we want to build cities that are culturally-inclusive and sustainable in the most comprehensive sense of that term. Julian Agyeman brings great passion, intelligence, and imagination to the task, and nicely primes the pump for the rest of us.' Dean Saitta, University of Denver 'Agyeman presents the issues involved in the movement, specifically as to how they relate to other social justice movements more focused on race and class. In the process, he provides an important, essential and convincing challenge to modern sustainablity movements and their approach to questions of race and class. It is to his further credit that he presents this challenge in a manner likely to move efforts inside those movements toward a synthesis that encompasses the intent of the movements while expanding the breadth of their base.' Ron Jacobs, Counterpunch
Julian Agyeman is a professor of urban and environmental policy and planning at Tufts University. He is an environmental social scientist whose expertise and current research interests are in the complex and embedded relationships between humans and the environment, whether mediated by institutions or by social movement organizations, and the effects of this on public policy and planning processes and outcomes, particularly in relation to notions of justice and equity. He is co-founder and editor of the international journal Local Environment: The International Journal of Justice and Sustainability and his books include Just Sustainabilities: Development in an Unequal World (with co-editors Robert D. Bullard and Bob Evans, 2003), Sustainable Communities and the Challenge of Environmental Justice (2005) and Cultivating Food Justice: Race, Class and Sustainability (with Alison Hope Alkon, 2011). He is series editor of Just Sustainabilities: Policy, Planning and Practice (Zed Books).