Visions of sustainability : cities and regions

"This new 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 of sustainability, and an understanding of its true meaning, provides a new conceptual framework for the assessment of the sustainability of cities and regions, and identifies research that will allow the systematic establishment of the appropriate indicators for sustainable development in cities and regions." "Drawing on ideas from the study of complex systems, the authors have developed a framework to guide and direct much needed new 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."--BOOK JACKET.
Content: The quest for sustainable development --United Nations frameworks for sustainable development --The EU debate on sustainable development --
The UK guidance to achieve sustainable development --
Best practice case studies --
A scientific foundation for sustainable development --
Science, complexity and sustainability --
Settlements and cities in history that correspond to types 0, 1 and 2 of sustainability --
Challenges to sustainability --
Availability and choice of options.
Abstract: Examines the sustainability of cities and regions and concludes that sustainability is not achievable. This book provides a conceptual framework for the assessment of the sustainability of cities and regions. It also reveals what options are available for humankind to achieve or loose sustainability.