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Planning for sustainable development: a paradigm shift towards a process-based approach

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Research Article

Authors

Ali Bagheri,

Department of Water Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Lund University, Sweden
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Peder Hjorth

Corresponding author

Department of Water Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Lund University, Sweden

Department of Water Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Lund University, P.O. Box 118, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden
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Abstract

Prevailing approaches of planning and strategy making, which traditionally deal with the states of systems in terms of fixed goals, fail to acknowledge the process nature of sustainable development. Using a system dynamics approach and relying on the concept of viability loops, the paper aims to illustrate a practical implementation of sustainable development with an urban water system as an example. It argues that planning for sustainable development should be 'process-based' - rather than 'fixed-goal' - oriented. Unlike the traditional approaches of strategy making to set fixed goals related to either supply-side and/or demand-side management, it is argued that triggering a social learning process with full involvement of all stakeholders and planners in the process would be the most suitable strategy for sustainable development. To this end, backcasting is recommended as a suitable tool and the process of model building is regarded as a means of learning rather than forecasting. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

Research Article

Authors

Ali Bagheri,

Department of Water Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Lund University, Sweden
Search for more papers by this author

Peder Hjorth

Corresponding author

Department of Water Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Lund University, Sweden

Department of Water Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Lund University, P.O. Box 118, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden
Search for more papers by this author

Abstract

Prevailing approaches of planning and strategy making, which traditionally deal with the states of systems in terms of fixed goals, fail to acknowledge the process nature of sustainable development. Using a system dynamics approach and relying on the concept of viability loops, the paper aims to illustrate a practical implementation of sustainable development with an urban water system as an example. It argues that planning for sustainable development should be 'process-based' - rather than 'fixed-goal' - oriented. Unlike the traditional approaches of strategy making to set fixed goals related to either supply-side and/or demand-side management, it is argued that triggering a social learning process with full involvement of all stakeholders and planners in the process would be the most suitable strategy for sustainable development. To this end, backcasting is recommended as a suitable tool and the process of model building is regarded as a means of learning rather than forecasting. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

Research Article

Authors

Ali Bagheri,

Department of Water Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Lund University, Sweden
Search for more papers by this author

Peder Hjorth

Corresponding author

Department of Water Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Lund University, Sweden

Department of Water Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Lund University, P.O. Box 118, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden
Search for more papers by this author

Abstract

Prevailing approaches of planning and strategy making, which traditionally deal with the states of systems in terms of fixed goals, fail to acknowledge the process nature of sustainable development. Using a system dynamics approach and relying on the concept of viability loops, the paper aims to illustrate a practical implementation of sustainable development with an urban water system as an example. It argues that planning for sustainable development should be 'process-based' - rather than 'fixed-goal' - oriented. Unlike the traditional approaches of strategy making to set fixed goals related to either supply-side and/or demand-side management, it is argued that triggering a social learning process with full involvement of all stakeholders and planners in the process would be the most suitable strategy for sustainable development. To this end, backcasting is recommended as a suitable tool and the process of model building is regarded as a means of learning rather than forecasting. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

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Planning for sustainable development: a paradigm shift towards a process‐based approach

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Research Article Department of Water Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Lund University, Sweden Search for more papers by this author Corresponding author Department of Water Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Lund University, Sweden Department of Water Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Lund University, P.O.

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Environment, economy and society: fitting them together into sustainable development

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Research Article

Authors

Bob Giddings,

Sustainable Cities Research Institute, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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Bill Hopwood,

Corresponding author

Sustainable Cities Research Institute, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

Sustainable Cities Research Institute, 6 North Street East, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE6 2JF, UK.
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Geoff O'Brien

Sustainable Cities Research Institute, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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Abstract

Sustainable development is a contested concept, with theories shaped by people's and organizations' different worldviews, which in turn influence how issues are formulated and actions proposed. It is usually presented as the intersection between environment, society and economy, which are conceived of as separate although connected entities. We would argue that these are not unified entities: rather they are fractured and multi-layered and can be considered at different spatial levels. The economy is often given priority in policies and the environment is viewed as apart from humans. They are interconnected, with the economy dependent on society and the environment while human existence and society are dependent on, and within the environment. The separation of environment, society and economy often leads to a narrow techno-scientific approach, while issues to do with society that are most likely to challenge the present socio-economic structure are often marginalized, in particular the sustainability of communities and the maintenance of cultural diversity. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. and ERP Environment

Research Article

Authors

Bob Giddings,

Sustainable Cities Research Institute, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Search for more papers by this author

Bill Hopwood,

Corresponding author

Sustainable Cities Research Institute, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

Sustainable Cities Research Institute, 6 North Street East, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE6 2JF, UK.
Search for more papers by this author

Geoff O'Brien

Sustainable Cities Research Institute, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Search for more papers by this author

Abstract

Sustainable development is a contested concept, with theories shaped by people's and organizations' different worldviews, which in turn influence how issues are formulated and actions proposed. It is usually presented as the intersection between environment, society and economy, which are conceived of as separate although connected entities. We would argue that these are not unified entities: rather they are fractured and multi-layered and can be considered at different spatial levels. The economy is often given priority in policies and the environment is viewed as apart from humans. They are interconnected, with the economy dependent on society and the environment while human existence and society are dependent on, and within the environment. The separation of environment, society and economy often leads to a narrow techno-scientific approach, while issues to do with society that are most likely to challenge the present socio-economic structure are often marginalized, in particular the sustainability of communities and the maintenance of cultural diversity. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. and ERP Environment

Research Article

Authors

Bob Giddings,

Sustainable Cities Research Institute, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Search for more papers by this author

Bill Hopwood,

Corresponding author

Sustainable Cities Research Institute, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

Sustainable Cities Research Institute, 6 North Street East, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE6 2JF, UK.
Search for more papers by this author

Geoff O'Brien

Sustainable Cities Research Institute, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Search for more papers by this author

Abstract

Sustainable development is a contested concept, with theories shaped by people's and organizations' different worldviews, which in turn influence how issues are formulated and actions proposed. It is usually presented as the intersection between environment, society and economy, which are conceived of as separate although connected entities. We would argue that these are not unified entities: rather they are fractured and multi-layered and can be considered at different spatial levels. The economy is often given priority in policies and the environment is viewed as apart from humans. They are interconnected, with the economy dependent on society and the environment while human existence and society are dependent on, and within the environment. The separation of environment, society and economy often leads to a narrow techno-scientific approach, while issues to do with society that are most likely to challenge the present socio-economic structure are often marginalized, in particular the sustainability of communities and the maintenance of cultural diversity. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. and ERP Environment

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Environment, economy and society: fitting them together into sustainable development

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Research Article Sustainable Cities Research Institute, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK Search for more papers by this author Corresponding author Sustainable Cities Research Institute, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK Sustainable Cities Research Institute, 6 North Street East, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE6 2JF, UK.

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Soil Degradation: A Global Problem Endangering Sustainable Development

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Soil Degradation: A Global Problem Endangering Sustainable Development

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Environmental Problems

Abstract

Soil degradation, defined as lowering and losing of soil functions, is becoming more and more serious worldwide in recent decades, and poses a threat to agricultural production and terrestrial ecosystem. It is estimated that nearly 2 billion ha of soil resources in the world have been degraded, namely approximately 22% of the total cropland, pasture, forest, and woodland. Globally, soil erosion, chemical deterioration and physical degradation are the important parts amongst various types of soil degradation. As a natural process, soil degradation can be enhanced or dampened by a variety of human activities such as inappropriate agricultural management, overgrazing, deforestation, etc. Degraded soil means less food. As a result of soil degradation, it is estimated that about 11.9-13.4% of the global agricultural supply has been lost in the past five decades. Besides, soil degradation is also associated with off-site problems of sedimentation, climate change, watershed functions, and changes in natural habitats leading to loss of genetic stock and biodiversity. Therefore, it is essential to combat soil degradation at different levels and scales worldwide, not only for food security and ecological health, but also for the guarantee of global sustainable development.

Key words

soil soil degradation erosion food security sustainable development

An erratum to this article is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02837550 .

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# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Soil degradation: a global problem endangering sustainable development

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Environmental Problems Soil degradation, defined as lowering and losing of soil functions, is becoming more and more serious worldwide in recent decades, and poses a threat to agricultural production and terrestrial ecosystem. It is estimated that nearly 2 billion ha of soil resources in the world have been degraded, namely approximately 22% of the total cropland, pasture, forest, and woodland.

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Sustainable Development in Malaysia: Case Study on Household Waste Management

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Sustainable Development in Malaysia: Case Study on Household Waste Management

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sustainable development in malaysia: a case study on household waste management

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Sustainable Development in Malaysia: A Case Study on Household Waste Management by Muhammad Abdul Jalil :: SSRN

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Sustainable development (SD) is a concept which first originated in the 1970s when the developed world undertook massive development project in terms of cutting

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MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN MALAYSIA: SOLUTION FOR SUSTAINABLE WASTE MANAGEMENT

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MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN MALAYSIA: SOLUTION FOR SUSTAINABLE WASTE MANAGEMENT

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Greener Energy Solutions for a Sustainable Future: Issues and Challenges for Malaysia

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Greener Energy Solutions for a Sustainable Future: Issues and Challenges for Malaysia

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Energy Policy and Alternative Energy in Malaysia: Issues and Challenges for Sustainable Growth

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Energy Policy and Alternative Energy in Malaysia: Issues and Challenges for Sustainable Growth

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Sustainable Solutions for Solid Waste Management in Southeast Asian Countries

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Sustainable Solutions for Solid Waste Management in Southeast Asian Countries

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