Comparative Sustainability Frameworks in Planned Urban Development: Economic, Environmental, and Social Integration in Neom, Nusantara, and Gelephu

This study employs a comparative case methodology to analyze sustainability frameworks across three emerging planned cities: Neom (Saudi Arabia), Nusantara (Indonesia), and Gelephu (Bhutan). By examining economic, environmental, and social sustainability dimensions through multiple data sources, we identify how distinct contextual factors shape implementation approaches. The findings reveal divergent pathways toward sustainability based on resource availability, governance systems, and cultural values, while highlighting transferable lessons for future planned urban developments. The study contributes to the growing discourse on sustainable urban development by offering insights into how different contexts shape sustainability outcomes and providing a framework for policymakers and urban planners to enhance sustainability in planned urban environments across diverse global contexts.