The sceintific international comunity is focusing its attention on the issue concerning the sustainability of cities. For instance, the United Nations have indicated specific principles and targets in the Habitat Agenda, Green Cities Declaration and Millenium Declariation.

Cities to improve their sustainability have to deal with different issues concerning the urban growth, energy consumptions, greenhouse gasses emissions, waste reduction, transport impacts, water consumptions and public health. A sustainable town is a community where the environmental, social and economics aspects need to find an equilibrium. And where it is possible to guarantee an appropriate quality of life for the habitants and the future generations. To reach this objective, specific policies are under development together with tool aimed to support urban planning and management activities. The topic is challenging, multi disciplinary and needs to be approached in an integrated way, trough participative processes and the connection between all the stakeholders.