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Urban lifestyles characterized by high consumption levels, exuberant use of natural resources, excessive production of waste, a widening gap between rich and poor, and rapid growth of the global human population pose a major problem for the future survival of our species. Urban development must therefore meet the needs of the present generations without compromising the needs of future generations. Putting this goal into practice remains a major challenge.
This book introduces "sustainability assessment," a new concept that aims to help in steering societies in a more sustainable direction, and applies this concept to cities. It deals with practical ways to reach a more sustainable state in urban areas through such tools as strategic environmental assessment, sustainability assessment, direction analysis, baseline setting and progress measurement, sustainability targets, and ecological footprint analysis. With these tools, humans can maintain or improve the health, productivity, and quality of their lives in harmony with nature.
List of contents
Introduction to Sustainability Assessment at the Local Level, by Dimitri Devuyst
The Conundrum of Urban Sustainability, by William E. Rees
Part I. Sustainable Development in Urban Areas by Dimitri Devuyst
Sustainable Development in Urban Areas: An Overview, by Rodney R. White
Linking Impact Assessment with Sustainable Development and the Introduction of Strategic Environmental Assessment, by Dimitri Devuyst
Local Agenda 21: The Pursuit of Sustainable Development. in Subnational Domains, by William M. Lafferty
The Eco-City Approach to Sustainable Development in Urban Areas, by Mark Roseland
Sustainability Assessment in Practice:. Case Studies Using the ASSIPAC Methodology, by Dimitri Devuyst
An Example of Eco-City Development: Urban Agriculture, by Thomas van Wijngaarden
Sustainable Development at the Local Level: The North-South Context, by Dimitri Devuyst
Part II: Urban Sustainability Assessment Tools in the Decision-Making Process by Dimitri Devuyst
Strategic Environmental Assessment and the Decision-Making Process, by Lone Koernoev
Sustainability Assessment at the Local Level, by Dimitri Devuyst
Striving for Sustainability via Behavioral Modification at the Household Level: Psychological Aspects and Effectiveness, by Paul Harland and Henk Staats
Direction Analysis: An Example of Municipal Sustainability Assessment in Norway, by Carlo Aall
Part III: Tools for Setting a Baseline and Measuring Progress in Urban Sustainability Assessment by Dimitri Devuyst
Indicators of Sustainable Development, by Thomas van Wijngaarden
Indicators for Sustainable Development in Urban Areas, by Elizabeth Kline
Additional Examples of the Use of Sustainability Indicators at the Local Level, by Mark Roseland
Sustainability Reporting and the Development of Sustainability Targets, by Dimitri Devuyst
Global Change, Ecological Footprints, and Urban Sustainability, by William E. Rees
Part IV: Tools for Sustainability Assessment at the Household Level by Dimitri Devuyst
Global Action Plan Research in Switzerland, by Susanne Bruppacher
Sustainable Lifestyle Assessment, by Dimitri Devuyst and Sofie Van Volsem
Linking Sustainability Assessment to a Vision for a Sustainable Future, by Dimitri Devuyst
Index
About the author
Edited by Dimitri Devuyst with Luc Hens and Walter De Lannoy
Summary
This book deals with practical ways to reach a more sustainable state in urban areas through such tools as strategic environmental assessment, sustainability assessment, direction analysis, baseline setting and progress measurement, sustainability targets, and ecological footprint analysis.
