Criteria for success in developing sustainable neighbourhoods.

The lack of clarity and preciseness behind the definitions of the term "sustainability" has made its integration in current planning policy a problematic issue, not so much at the building scale but especially at the scale of neighbourhoods and towns. This research is aimed at discovering what the potential might be within the development of a common framework for sustainable development, which will provide a comprehensive guide for local councils and practitioners in the field of built environment.The case studies research was based on a broad literature and research review and case studies of selected projects in Germany and the UK. These were Kronsberg, Vauban, New Islington and Upton. The mixed methods approach followed allowed for a holistic appreciation of the subject that involved a combination of both qualitative and quantitative treatments. The sources of data that formed the empirical heart of the research were interviews with key stakeholders, aiming to gauge their perceptions over the success of the projects, and questionnaires to residents, aiming to measure their overall satisfaction with living in their newly developed neighbourhoods.This type of research of best practice projects has provided an opportunity for the comparison of the successful development strategies that have been followed in the different settings. Weaknesses and strengths have been enumerated and analysed, the different cases have been evaluated, and the positive elements amongst them have been pinpointed and reviewed to allow for the final checklist of criteria to be determined.