A vision for human well-being: transition to social sustainability

Rogers, Deborah S.; Duraiappah, Anantha Kumar; Antons, Daniela Christina; Muñoz, Pablo; Bai, Xuemei; Fragkias, Michail; Gutscher, Heinz

doi:10.1016/j.cosust.2012.01.013

Cited by 170 publications

(151 citation statements)

References 73 publications

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“…People's perceptions of what is worth achieving is starting to find more traction as the importance of values, attitudes, care, and agency are prioritised [27,34,58,59]. These wellbeing concepts are increasingly seen as being important for building individual transformative capacity and contributing to social sustainability [60].…”

Section: From Sustainability and Resilience To "Thrivability" From Amentioning

confidence: 99%

Moving from Adaptive to Transformative Capacity: Building Foundations for Inclusive, Thriving, and Regenerative Urban Settlements

Ziervogel

Cowen²,

Ziniades³

2016

Sustainability

132

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Abstract:The commitment to understanding the implications of a 1.5 • C global temperature warming limit has contributed to a growing realisation that transformative adaptation is necessary to avoid catastrophic environmental and social consequences. This is particularly the case in urban settlements where disconnection from the systems that support life is pervasive and injustice and inequality play out daily. This paper argues that in order to transform towards thriving social-ecological systems, transformative capacity needs to be strengthened. The paper builds on the rich literature of adaptive capacity, alongside concepts of transformation that are drawn from resilience theory, organisational change, and developmental psychology. Reconnection to life-support systems, agency, and social cohesion are put forward as three foundational aspects of transformative capacity. A transdisciplinary case study of the FLOW programme in the Bergrivier Municipality, South Africa, is used to explore how transformative capacity has been built in practice. The case study explores an innovative programme that works with unemployed urban youth, alongside the exploration and introduction of a community currency in the informal business sector, and strengthening cross-scalar interaction between the local municipality and youth. The paper suggests that working across sectors and scales in a transdisciplinary manner is a challenging endeavour but necessary for building inclusive, thriving, and regenerative urban settlements.

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Section: From Sustainability and Resilience To "Thrivability" From Amentioning

confidence: 99%

Moving from Adaptive to Transformative Capacity: Building Foundations for Inclusive, Thriving, and Regenerative Urban Settlements

Ziervogel

Cowen²,

Ziniades³

2016

Sustainability

132

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“…The relationship between urbanization and sustainability has long been the focus of numerous studies [9]. In the recent surge of interest in sustainability, some scholars believe that urbanization is the key to regional and global sustainability, whereas others regard urban sustainability as an oxymoron [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Urbanization and Sustainability: Comparison of the Processes in “BIC” Countries

et al. 2016

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Abstract:The urbanized world has brought social, economic, and environmental sustainability into challenged surroundings in rapidly rising countries, thereby requiring the exploration of their intertwined relationships. This study regarded Brazil, India, and China as "BIC" countries to be the representative study areas for our investigation of sustainability in the context of rapid urbanization. In general, our work was synthesized into a comparison framework in four aspects: rural-urban relation, industrial development, city development, and urban landscape pattern. We determined that rural-urban dichotomy exists in all study areas, with India and China having a high degree. China was identified as a manufacturing-based country in the past half-century, whereas Brazil and India have the service sector as their primary industry. The distribution of large cities follows a regional pattern, with Brazil being northeast-focused, China being southeast-focused, and India being comparatively balanced. The Amazon forest in the north brings great challenges to Brazil with respect to the conservation of its biodiversity and eco-environment. India and China have encountered tremendous urban expansion or sprawl in the past several decades. The sustainability issues in social, economic, and environmental aspects for Brazil, India, and China were summarized in the context of rapid urbanization to provide references for other countries.

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“…Some authors have highlighted the need for a global focus on growth in well-being instead of consumption, and the need for global financial and trade Institutions (such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Trade Organization) to be adjusted to promote widespread increases in human well-being, rather than economic growth (Rogers et al 2012). However, in the context of the degrowth-related debate, no studies refer to the role of global health institutions, namely the World Health Organization (WHO) and the need for their reform and democratization.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Degrowth and health: local action should be linked to global policies and governance for health

Missoni

2015

Sustain Sci

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Volume and increase of spending in the health sector contribute to economic growth, but do not consistently relate with better health. Instead, unsatisfactory health trends, health systems' inefficiencies, and high costs are linked to the globalization of a growth society dominated by neoliberal economic ideas and policies of privatization, deregulation, and liberalization. A degrowth approach, understood as frame that connects diverse ideas, concepts, and proposals alternative to growth as a societal objective, can contribute to better health and a more efficient use of health systems. However, action for change of individual and collective behaviors alone is not enough to influence social determinants and counteract powerful and harmful market forces. The quality and characteristics of health policies need to be rethought, and public policies in all sectors should be formulated taking into consideration their impact on health. A paradigmatic shift toward a more caring, equitable, and sustainable degrowth society will require supportive policies at national level and citizens' engagement at community level. Nevertheless, due to global interdependence and the unavoidable interactions between global forces and national systems, a deep rethinking of global health governance and its reformulation into global governance for health are essential. To support degrowth and health, a strong alliance between committed national and global leaderships, above all the World Health Organization, and a well-informed, transnationally interconnected, worldwide active civil society is essential to include and defend health objectives and priorities in all policies and at all levels, including through the regulation of global market forces.

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A vision for human well-being: transition to social sustainability

Cited by 170 publications

References 73 publications

Moving from Adaptive to Transformative Capacity: Building Foundations for Inclusive, Thriving, and Regenerative Urban Settlements

Moving from Adaptive to Transformative Capacity: Building Foundations for Inclusive, Thriving, and Regenerative Urban Settlements

Urbanization and Sustainability: Comparison of the Processes in “BIC” Countries

Degrowth and health: local action should be linked to global policies and governance for health

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