Social Sustainability and the Development Process What Is It, Why Does It Matter, and How Can It Be Enhanced?

This policy research working paper examines the concept of social sustainability as a core dimension of development alongside economic and environmental sustainability. The authors argue that while economic growth and environmental stewardship are well-established pillars of development policy, social sustainability remains comparatively under-theorized and under-measured. The paper explores how social cohesion, inclusion, legitimacy, trust, and institutional resilience influence development outcomes and proposes analytical frameworks and policy approaches for strengthening socially sustainable development processes across diverse contexts.