Chapter 7 is the central chapter on urban social sustainability in practice. It features nine case studies on real urban regeneration or building schemes where urban form or public participation intentionally influenced pro-community behaviours and psychological responses that contributed to socially sustainable communities. These are: urban upgrading in an informal settlement and redesign of the Central Railway Station, Cape Town (South Africa); housing complex, Belfast (Northern Ireland); housing communities, southern England; asset-mapping in favelas, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil); renovation of public squares, Portland, Oregon (USA); renovation of green space, Manchester (England); upgrade of a Bus Xchange, Christchurch (New Zealand); and green spaces, Yala (Thailand). Further comment is included from the Delhi housing developments in Chapter 6.

Projects are analysed with the authors’ framework on socially sustainable behaviours and psychological responses that urban built environments are most capable of influencing. The behaviours and psychological responses evidenced in projects are outline and additional ones revealed. Lessons and ideas from the cases point to a four-stage framework for socially aware planning that urban development stakeholders can follow. The stages are: 1) Scheme Conception: Incorporating Social Objectives; 2) Research and Community Participation; 3) Design Decisions and Implementation; 4) Monitoring and Evaluation. Each is described, and the cases grouped together under these headings so that each stage is well illustrated.