Are good intentions enough? Evaluating social sustainability in urban development projects through the capability approach

Social sustainability is a multidimensional concept sensitive to the contexts of its application. This study explores how it interpreted and applied in urban planning practices which general social goals are translated into specific design interventions. Building upon Sen’s Capability Approach (CA), we analyse gap between operationalization Urban Development Projects (UDPs) from perspective planners, following experiences residents developed areas. By applying capability-based evaluative framework UDP Amsterdam, reveals that value distinct functionings experience different enabling factors related sustainability. We conclude CA provides an operationalizable for assessing defined at early stage UDPs translate actual capabilities whom those very were conceived.