OPERATIONALISING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PRACTICE FOR AREA-BASED SUSTAINABILITY IMPLEMENTING UN-SDGS (2015-2030) AT THE LOCAL DISTRICT AREA

Abstract

This paper discussed district sustainability as a set of system delimitations that are practically appropriate and manageable to implement the seventeen UN-SDGs to balance environmental, social, and economic development. By default, the district system is a socio-ecological system and a geographically defined area where the sustainability pillars are balanced to provide a symbiotic condition. However, the consideration and operationalisation of environmental role in the district’s socio-economic development decision-making process not explicitly emphasised. The emphasis should focus on the critical role of communication, participation, and collaboration among diverse stakeholders in implementing and operationalising the natural environmental role, the fundamental component of district sustainability, and further democratising natural resources and landscape planning to guarantee district sustainability. If replicated all the districts within state, provincial, regional, and national levels, the sustainable district could aid in the achievement of the 17 UN-SDGs.