Visions of Sustainability

This book examines the sustainability of cities and regions and concludes that currently sustainability is not achievable. By identifying how cities and regions in the past have maintained or lost sustainability and how cities and regions of today might achieve sustainability in the future, it
gives a clear definition, and an understanding of the true meaning, of sustainability


provides a new conceptual framework for the assessment of the sustainability of cities and regions


reveals what options are available for humankind to achieve or loose sustainability


identifies research that will allow the systematic establishment of the appropriate indicators for sustainable development in cities and regions.




Presenting a framework to guide and direct research in the measures needed to achieve and maintain sustainability, the book will be of considerable help to local authorities and political and government bodies responsible for establishing guidelines for the planning and monitoring of sustainable urban development. It will be of fundamental interest to ecologists, environmentalists, geographers, regional planners and urban designers, both in private practice and academia.

Part 1: The Quest for Sustainable Development 1. United Nations Frameworks for Sustainable Development 2. The EU Debate on Sustainable Development 3. The UK Guidance to Achieve Sustainable Development 4. Best Practice Case Studies 5. ConclusionsDevelopment Part 2: A Scientific Foundation for Sustainable Development 6. Science, Complexity and Sustainability 7. Settlements and Cities in History that correspond to Types 0, 1 and 2 of Sustainability 8. Challenges to Sustainability 9.Availability and Choice of Options