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The Meaning of Ecosystem Theory to the Planning Profession – An Interpretation and Analysis of Sustainability

Dissertation School: University of Wisconsin-Madison

Pages: 235

Publication Date: January 1999

Availability:
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Access Number: 10717

Abstract:
Sustainability is a conceptual framework that draws from ecological concepts related to systems and how they function. Because it strives to describe a model of human behavior (private actions) and institutional actions (public policies) that focuses principally on the effects of those actions, it is a concept that has been recognized as increasingly relevant and central to the practice of urban and regional planning. However, a clear definition of sustainability has remained elusive. In fact, a detailed review of the planning literature reveals the concept to be less than fully explored, leaving open to question how planners view sustainability for local application. By tracing the historic and conceptual development of sustainability and then integrating it into the theory and the practice of planning, this dissertation has formulated a precise definition of the multiple elements and tenets of sustainability as they should ideally apply to local planning and development policy. In addition, through the statistical analysis of the scores to a nationally distributed survey instrument, conclusions are derived regarding the extent to which planners actually understand, and communities actually apply, the concept of sustainability in practice. Findings of the research indicate: There is not a high level of integration of sustainability into planning thought and practice generally; the level of integration varies by region and by community type; planners with a positive attitude toward sustainability have a more complete understanding of the concept and an enhanced opinion of its potential contribution to planning; and, certain academic specializations tend to be associated with higher scores and higher levels of integration across the three E’s of environment, equity, and economy. From these results, a series of recommendations are offered as to how the level of integration of sustainability into planning and thought and practice might be increased.

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