Systemic preconditions and ontological modeling for peri-urban communities

Abstract

PurposeThis research presents an ontological model, to communicate the impact of dynamic preconditions for peri-urban communities. As such, this paper approaches perturbation communities as social-complex-adaptive-systems.Design/methodology/approachPrevious assessment of dynamic preconditions have typically been based on top-down approaches. Through the lens of social-complex-adaptive and systemic design approaches (requiring a range of different disciplines), this work focuses on providing a broader view towards periurban research. The methodological approach involved academic literature, fieldwork observations, in-depth discussions with community, government, experts and research groups, focusing on a region called “Xochimilco” on the outskirts of Mexico City, a unique pre-Hispanic, Aztec ecosystem. This evolving man made agricultural/ecological structure of island plots, still provides environmental services to Mexico City. This region provides the basis of the research and subsequent ontological model. Ontology, in this instance, refers to the nature of being within a range of constraining dynamic forces relating to resilient behaviors of the current Xochimilco perturbation ecosystem.FindingsXochimilco can be considered as a longitudinal phenomenon that contributed to the understanding of observable resilient and precondition elements between the past and present of a living complex-adaptive-system.Practical implicationsThe research has provided a better understanding of community resilience through preconditions, contributing towards preparation of environmental change and future urbanization. To this end, the research focused on visualizing key dynamics elements for communities attempting to absorb new urban conditions (being continuously pushed into it).Originality/valueThe outcomes of this research have provided specific systemic, bottom up approaches with ontological modeling to assist with visualizing and understanding intangible dynamic conditions that impact high complex areas of perturbation regions.

Case study: Observing the World Music School Helsinki as a social ecological system to enhance community connectivity and resilience

“…In its wake, a batch of psycho or somatic‐related illnesses and dis‐ease follow. The surrounding society, including the health care system, is impacted, including the lack of quality connections for the disconnected individual (Eisenberger, 2012; Nousala et al, 2020). As a result, the increased disconnection of these individuals contributes to the decreased resilience of the whole system.…”

Why local is not enough! Constrains for adaptive governance in peri-urban areas. A case study in Mexico City

“…The inefficient and irregular application of general rules of local policies in MA or in the CDMX government has also impeded the potential for more democratic governance, which would allow progress toward local development with trajectories for community harmonization to face urban changes and urbanization pressures. This is particularly pertinent when thinking of peri-urban communities as adaptive social systems in highly complex regions undergoing dynamic environmental and urbanization changes (Nousala et al, 2021).…”