University, City and Sustainability: A Critical Synthesis of the InternationalLiterature on Urban Campuses in Europe, Asia and Latin America

Abstract

This article presents a critical review of the literature on the contemporary dynamics that define the relationship between university
campuses and cities, with particular emphasis on their contribution to urban sustainability. Through the comparative analysis of
studies developed in different geographical contexts —including cases in Europe, Asia, and Latin America— the article examines
various experiences of urban campuses documented in the specialized literature. The territorial diversity of the cases analyzed allows
for the observation of how universities located in distinct urban realities face similar challenges in their relationship with the city.
The results show that, despite the cultural, institutional, and urban differences among the cases studied, the literature identifies a
series of recurring similarities in the ways campuses integrate with their urban surroundings. Among these similarities are spatial
permeability, diversity of uses, pedestrian connectivity, and the incorporation of green spaces as key elements in the development of
more sustainable urban campuses. Based on these convergences, the article proposes a conceptual synthesis of the main dimensions that structure the university–city relationship in contemporary literature. The study concludes by indicating that university campuses can play a significant role as agents of urban transformation when their planning promotes integration with the urban fabric, the opening of collective spaces, and the articulation with the social and economic dynamics of the city.