A Self-Organizing Systems Perspective on Planning For Sustainability

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Table of Contents

Abstract

Acknowledgements

Chapter 1 - Introduction

1.1 Overview

1.2 Research

1.3 Sustainability

Chapter 2 - Systems Concepts

2.1 Systems

2.2 Autopoiesis and Sympoiesis

2.3 Self-Organization and Complexity

2.4 Revisiting Poietic Systems

Chapter 3 - Human Social Systems

3.1 Existing Literature

3.2 Increased Human Complexity

3.3 Examples

Chapter 4 - Planning

4.1 Definitions of Planning

4.2 Planning Theory

4.3 Learning in Planning

4.4 Setting the Normative Direction: Sustainability

4.5 Planning as Part of Emergent Social Systems

Chapter 5 - Poietic Planning Systems

5.1 Planning For Emergent Systems

5.2 Emergent Planning Systems

Chapter 6 - Summary and Conclusions

6.1 Highlights

6.2 Limitations = Possibilities

6.3 The Challenge

Glossary

Lists of Figures, Table and Boxes
 

List of Figures

Figure 1.1 Sustainability - definitional continuum

Figure 2.1 Continuum of system definitions

Figure 2.2 Importance of relations among system components

Figure 2.3 Continuum of self-organizing systems

Figure 2.4 Illustration of poietic processes

Figure 2.5 States of balance in autopoietic and sympoietic systems

Figure 2.6 Evolution of complex systems

Figure 2.7 Magnetic field: a global influence generating pattern among iron rods

Figure 2.8 Interacting global-local influences creating emergent structure of rivers

Figure 2.9 Variation among local influences and resulting river patterns as different attractors

Figure 2.10 Generation of Bénard cells

Figure 2.11 Point of tension generating Benard cells

Figure 2.12 Point of tension generating Bénard cells

Figure 2.13 Point of tension generating leaf-area in plants

Figure 3.1 Human psyche as a self-organizing system

Figure 3.2 Poietic characteristics of human psyche

Figure 3.3 Structural coupling in human systems

Figure 3.4 Emergence of social systems through process of self-organization

Figure 3.5 Recursive interactions in social systems

Figure 3.6 Point of tension generating small group

Figure 3.7 Global-local interactions generating specific leader-group attractors

Figure 3.8 Key autopoietic-sympoietic characteristics of small groups - comparison of groupthink, 'expert'-driven task force and round-table (positions are approximate and relative)

Figure 3.9 Self-organizing factors generating science

Figure 3.10 Typology of approaches to science (Funtowicz and Ravetz 1992, 1993)

Figure 3.11 Along shore current and moraine forming sandspit at Point Pelee

Figure 3.12 Sediment deposition on Point Pelee

Figure 3.13 Components and processes of system forming marsh-peninsuala structure at Point Pelee

Figure 3.14 Point of tension generating peninsula-marsh structure

Figure 3.15 Social system elements influencing shoreline hazard management

Figure 3.16 Self-organizing factors generating shoreline hazard management

Figure 3.17 Key autopoietic-sympoietic characteristics of social system relevant to Point Pelee National Park

Figure 4.1 Planning: definitional continuum

Figure 4.2 Linkage between values and planning

Figure 4.3 Categories of planning theory

Figure 4.4 Poietic process in planning

Figure 4.5 Self-organization and evolution of planners

Figure 4.6 Misinterpretation of system type

Figure 4.7 Self-organizing factors generating Canadian National Park planning and policy

Figure 5.1 Planning a small group - interpreted through aspects of poietic systems

Figure 5.2 Point of tension generating peninsula-marsh structure

Figure 5.3 Point of tension among social influences affecting

Figure 5.4 Poietic characteristics of geophysical and social systems of concern to Point Pelee National Park

Figure 5.5 Global-local influences generating hardened shoreline indicating potential influence of national park management system

Figure 5.6 Problematic outcomes of rational-comprehensive planning - interpreted through aspects of poietic systems

Figure 5.7 Typology of approaches to planning

Figure 5.8 Integrated conceptual map for matching system type and approach

Figure 5.9 Pattern of organization for National Park planning system

Figure 5.10 Arnstein's ladder of participation illustrating autopoietic and sympoietic characteristics

Figure 5.11 Parallel continua relevant to public involvement using autopoietic-sympoietic interpretations

List of Tables

Table 2.1 Comparison of poietic system characteristics

Table 2.2 Causality and Organization (Campbell 1985, p 155)

Table 4.1 Comparison of different types of systems thinking

Table 5.1 Social system elements influenced by Parks Canada

Table 5.1 Ranking criteria for prioritizing management concerns for Point Pelee National Park (from Parks Canada 1991, p 156)

Table 5.2 Basic structure of the Ecosystem Conservation Plan for Georgian Bay Islands National Park (from Nelson and Skibicki 1997, p 59)

Box 1.1 Sustainability Definitions

Box 1.2 Pro-Growth Perspectives on Sustainability

Box 2.1 Autopoiesis = Living?

Box 2.2 Identification key for autopoietic systems

Box 2.3 Information: definitional issues

Box 2.4 Trajectory: definitional issues

Box 2.5 Equilibrium: definitional issues

Box 2.6 Gestalt: balanced ® balancing nature

Box 2.7 Selected works on self-organization

Box 2.8 Self-organizing system typologies from the existing literature

Box 2.9 Concepts similar to sympoiesis described in the existing literature

Box 3.1 Social Influences on individual behaviour (from Cialdini 1993)

Box 3.2 Paradigm: definitional issues

Box 5.1 Developing Land Use Plan Scenarios: Some Planning Tips

Box 5.2 Basic processes of the civics model

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