Urban Environmental Sustainability from the Perspective of Social Innovation in Public Services

Abstract

Objective – To analyze the relevant characteristics of social innovation and innovation in public services, and how these characteristics take environmental issues into account in addressing social needs, such as urban mobility.

Methodology – A literature review was conducted to collect secondary data, with the aim of understanding and identifying relevant characteristics of social innovation and innovation in public services, as well as identifying how environmental issues are taken into consideration.

Originality/Relevance – Despite the extensive literature on social innovation and innovation in public services, studies that seek to emphasize environmental issues and, more specifically, urban mobility are still incipient.

Results – Most of the reviewed articles explicitly focus on the importance of urban spaces in interventions aimed at addressing social needs, with urban mobility emerging as one of the key areas for interventions grounded in social innovation.

Theoretical/Methodological Contributions – To analyze the strengthening of the relationships between social innovation and environmental issues as examined in the recent scientific literature.

Social and Environmental Contributions – With regard to social contributions, the study highlights citizen participation; concerning environmental issues, it emphasizes the promotion of sustainable practices, such as those related to urban mobility.