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Metropolitan Development as a Complex System: A New Approach to Sustainability

Author

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  • Judith E. Innes

    (Institute of Urban and Regional Development, University of California, Berkeley)

  • David E. Booher

    (Institute of Urban and Regional Development, University of California, Berkeley)

Abstract

A major national debate is under way about the effects of the regulation of development and land use patterns on metropolitan economies. Because this is often framed around whether sprawling development patterns are harmful or beneficial to the economy and environment, we are seemingly presented with an either/or choice. This article asserts that the debate misses the reality that metropolitan development occurs as part of a complex system. If we view metropolitan development as a complex system, there is no fundamental conflict between environmental goals and economic development. Examining the case of California, the authors demonstrate how the relationship between these is part of a larger system involving fiscal policy, governance structure, infrastructure policy, and other factors. The authors propose three strategies for improving metropolitan system performance to ensure sustainable metropolitan economies and environments: developing and using indicators for self-organizing urban systems, collaboration and consensus building among metropolitan stakeholders, and metropolitan leadership.

Suggested Citation

  • Judith E. Innes & David E. Booher, 1999. "Metropolitan Development as a Complex System: A New Approach to Sustainability," Economic Development Quarterly, , vol. 13(2), pages 141-156, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ecdequ:v:13:y:1999:i:2:p:141-156
    DOI: 10.1177/089124249901300204
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    Cited by:

    1. Partridge, Mark D. & Rickman, Dan S., 2012. "Integrating regional economic development analysis and land use economics," MPRA Paper 38291, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. Clark, Thomas A., 2013. "Metropolitan density, energy efficiency and carbon emissions: Multi-attribute tradeoffs and their policy implications," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 413-428.
    3. Robert Goodspeed, 2016. "The Death and Life of Collaborative Planning Theory," Urban Planning, Cogitatio Press, vol. 1(4), pages 1-5.
    4. Perić Ana, 2016. "Institutional Cooperation in the Brownfield Regeneration Process: Experiences from Central and Eastern European Countries," European Spatial Research and Policy, Sciendo, vol. 23(1), pages 21-46, June.

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