Advances in urban sustainability assessment: a systematic literature review of methods, frameworks, and future directions

Abstract Urban Sustainability Assessment is a critical tool for addressing the complex challenges of urbanization, climate change, And resource constraints. This systematic literature review examines 95 peer-reviewed articles published between 2005 And 2025, analyzing the evolution, methodologies, and applications of urban sustainability assessment frameworks. The study highlights significant advancements, including the integration of emerging technologies such as AI and IoT, incorporation of governance and resilience metrics, and the adoption of participatory and systems-thinking approaches. Traditional indicator-based methods have evolved into real-time, data-driven, and holistic frameworks capable of evaluating urban performance across environmental, social, economic, and governance dimensions. Key trends identified include the increasing use of technological innovations, the shift toward context-sensitive frameworks in rapidly urbanizing regions like India, and the growing emphasis on balancing global benchmarks with local relevance. Persistent challenges such as data limitations, governance inefficiencies, and standardization issues are also explored. By comparing global and regional frameworks, the review underscores the importance of dynamic, inclusive, and adaptable assessments to guide cities toward sustainable and resilient futures. The findings contribute valuable insights for policymakers, planners, and researchers, emphasizing the need for future urban sustainability assessment frameworks to prioritize climate resilience, social equity, and integrated sustainability metrics. Graphical Abstract