From the sustainable city to the hub city: obsolescence and renewal of urban indicators

Given their greater inertia and organizational complexity, cities remain more vulnerable to adverse physical, social, economic and biological phenomena. The UN also aims for metropolitan regions to become inclusive, safe and resilient, as well as sustainable, by 2030. This article, therefore, sheds light on the obsolescence of indicators that characterized sustainable development during the last three decades and delves into strategies that mitigate risks and uncertainty in the contemporary city. The leverage (among others) of digital technology, shared knowledge, systemic circularity and participatory governance aims to respond to the growing aggressiveness and volatility of external agents in 21st century metropolises, proposing transdisciplinary methods of sustainable, equitable and smart growth.