Public Policies for the Design and Implementation of Sustainable Cities

The main aim of this study is to propose a series of recommendations to public administrations for the development of economic policies that promote the contribution of the construction and civil engineering sectors to the design and implementation of sustainable cities. The study was conducted on the island of Tenerife. Documentary research and in-depth interviews with key agents were used as qualitative techniques. The recommendations are described in a portfolio of action policies grouped into three action areas: macroeconomic demand policies, regulation and reform policies, promotion and support policies, and governance and collaboration policies. Among other results, it is worth mentioning that there is a European support framework for economic policies to promote this transformation, but it is necessary to apply them whilst taking into account the environment where they are applied. Existing measures need to be evaluated to improve them and/or replace them with those mentioned by the key agents, all within an action plan that facilitates their implementation. Building sustainable cities requires public–private collaboration, institutional efficiency, and the socio-environmentally responsible performance of companies in the sector.