Assessing the assessors: A systematic review of neighbourhood sustainability assessment tool effectiveness

Neighbourhood Sustainability Assessment Tools (NSATs) have been essential instruments for evaluating and guiding sustainable urban development. Despite insights provided into various aspects of sustainability assessment in the literature, limited research focuses on how effectively NSATs measure sustainability or what should be benchmarked in their assessment criteria. This study addresses this gap by identifying key factors that contribute to NSAT effectiveness. A systematic literature review, guided by PRISMA protocols, analyses 70 peer-reviewed articles from Scopus and Web of Science. Thematic analysis identifies three core dimensions that influence NSAT effectiveness: performance, applicability, and operational efficiency. Effective NSATs incorporate comprehensive assessment frameworks, standardised metrics, balanced sustainability dimensions, clear prerequisites, and long-term performance tracking. Applicability improves through policy alignment, institutional integration, and stakeholder engagement. Operational efficiency results from technological integration, cost-effective processes, and data-driven decision-making. The study proposes benchmark criteria to guide the development and evaluation of NSATs and demonstrates how standardised indicators and GIS-enabled workflows support benchmark-based planning decisions. It emphasises the need for tools that remain consistent, adaptable, and capable of driving measurable progress toward sustainable urban outcomes. • Outlined three core dimensions contributing to NSAT effectiveness. • Standardising indicators can improve NSAT reliability and comparability. • Use of NSATs enables data-driven, benchmark-based urban planning decisions. • Leveraging GIS can improve NSAT accuracy and operational efficiency. • Post-evaluation tracking in NSATs can enhance long-term sustainability outcomes.