Identification of Boundaries of Measurements for City Environmental Quality

Cities have become the largest consumers of resources and contributors to pollution due to urbanization. Therefore, measuring quality and maintaining standards have become crucial, as the boundaries of measurements for a city’s environmental quality are vague. This research study followed a qualitative approach to verify the factors affecting city environmental quality and to identify the boundaries of measurements using Sri Lankan cities as a case study. Data analysis was conducted using a thematic analysis approach, which adhered to the qualitative nature of the research. Findings revealed that seven main factors—energy consumption, water consumption, material and resource consumption, land utilization, disaster resilience, education, and governance—play a significant role in maintaining a city’s environmental quality. It was revealed that measuring boundaries can vary according to individual units (such as household, industrial, or commercial buildings) or city boundaries, in order to maintain quality standards. The findings revealed significant considerations for environmental quality performance, highlighting the influence of urban planning, governance, and public awareness on environmental sustainability outcomes in cities. Notably, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of how environmental quality intersects with social well-being in urban planning, affecting the quality of life and equitable access to urban resources.